Britain's homeowners risk losing more than £36 million worth of presents in burglaries this Christmas, a study shows today.
Britain's homeowners risk losing more than Ł36 million worth of presents in burglaries this Christmas, a study shows today.
Norwich Union’s Christmas Crime study shows that each household will on average spend Ł520 on presents and up to 70,000 households could be burgled during the festive season*.
But despite this risk, three quarters of British homeowners take no extra security precautions against crime at Christmas.
And it isn’t just Christmas presents that are being eyed up by burglars to steal – cash is the most commonly stolen item** and an average family spends Ł260 on food, drink and other provisions to last through the festive season.
Norwich Union’s Christmas Crime study also found that:
- Half of all Britons place their presents around the Christmas tree by a window in full view from the outside
- Consumer spending this Christmas is set to be around Ł100 less per household than last Christmas
- People in the South take more precautions to make their home secure at Christmas - and spend the most on food, drink and other provisions
- The Scots are the least likely to make their home more secure at Christmas
- The Welsh spend the most on Christmas presents
To help people protect themselves and their property at Christmas, Norwich Union has produced a guide, called ‘Crack Christmas Crime’.
The guide, written in conjunction with the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, gives homeowners helpful tips about how to make their home safer, not only at Christmas, but all year round.
Some top tips include:
- security-marking expensive gifts or taking photographs for identification and insurance purposes
- keeping presents out of view by positioning the tree away from the window
- telling neighbours you are away and asking them to keep an eye on your home
- check the burglary alarm is activated whenever you leave the house
Jill Willis, market development manager at Norwich Union Insurance, said: “Christmas is a time of giving, but during the festive season high-value presents, food, alcohol and other provisions are particularly at risk of burglary.
“To avoid being another burglary victim, homeowners need to be extra vigilant about home security. Our research shows that three quarters of Britons are not taking extra care to protect their properties. But with some basic precautions they can avoid unnecessary anguish.”
John Howell, director general for the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, said: “Despite popular belief, burglars are very active at Christmas time. They target empty homes during the Christmas and holiday season. Therefore we need to be extra cautious at this time of year.
"However, a few simple measures can deter and prevent burglary. Christmas should be enjoyed without the fear of crime."
For a free copy of Norwich Union’s Crack Christmas Crime guide, call Freefone 0800 028 0939.
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For further information contact Gabrielle Brewer, Anja Kueppers or Matthew Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Liz Kennett/Jenny Chapman at Norwich Union on 08703 66 68 64
Notes to editors: Norwich Union commissioned Taylor Nelson Soffres to conduct research with 1,000 households across Britain. The survey was carried out on 16/17 November 2001
* Home Office Statistics, October 2000- December 2000 ** 2001 British Crime Survey
Norwich Union
- Norwich Union’s news releases are available on this internet site
- A selection of images is available from the CGNU Newscast site at www.newscast.co.uk
- An ISDN facility is available for studio quality interviews. Call the press office on 08703 66 68 68
- Norwich Union increases the sum insured for household contents during December
For all life & pensions media enquiries 08703 66 68 73 For all other media enquiries 08703 66 68 68
The National Neighbourhood Watch Association
- The National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) is the national charity that supports, promotes and represents Neighbourhood Watch in the UK.
- There are now over 155,000 Neighbourhood Watch schemes covering over 6 million homes, that’s 27% of UK households. This makes it the largest voluntary movement in the UK.
Other useful information
- Between Oct – Dec 2000, 106,000 homes across England and Wales were burgled (Home Office Statistics). This is an average of 70,000 homes over the festive season Nov- Dec.