Britain experiences the highest burglary rates in Europe, it has been advised, and homeowners have been encouraged to stop giving criminals easy access to their properties.

A study from Halifax Home Insurance assessed the opinions of a series of convicted UK burglars, and found that many claimed that burglar alarms were often ignored or left inactivated by homeowners.

Furthermore, the burglars said that even doors and windows were often left unlocked – one reason why the majority of those assessed said they were confident they could commit such crimes without any consequences.

The findings were backed up by a separate study which found that 34 per cent of householders with an alarm rarely activated it, and six per cent leave their doors unlocked while away from the home.

"It's little wonder that Britain is the poor man of Europe when it comes to burglary rates, given the startling ease with which thieves told us they can get into our homes. Britons could certainly be doing far more to protect both their homes and families," commented criminologist professor Martin Gill.

A new study from Budget Home Insurance revealed this week that over half of all burglary victims are mentally traumatised by such occurrences.



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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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