Burglary on the rise during recession

The number of burglaries is on the rise as the recession deepens, Halifax warned this week.

Home Office figures show a 4% increase in burglaries in the last quarter.

Halifax said householders should be careful to secure their homes even on hot summer days.

“When it’s warm outside people often leave windows and doors open to keep cool, but many don’t realise that burglaries often happen while homeowners are at home, as opportunist burglars reach in through open doors to grab whatever they can,” said Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax.

“We’d recommend people close windows when they are not in the room and lock their front door when they are out in the back garden.”

A poll by the insurer found over a fifth (22%) of people don’t bother to lock doors and windows whilst they’re at home.

One in six (17%), meanwhile, do not have home contents insurance.

A poll by Norwich Union published earlier this year found games consoles and DVDs are the most popular items for burglars to steal.

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