Dark nights bring out some shady characters
NOW the clocks have gone back and the nights are darker sooner, the number of break-ins is expected to rise, according to Co-op Insurance.
They say the number of claims they receive due to thefts usually rises by more than a third in the five months after the clocks change.
Nearly 70 per cent of the extra break-ins are classed as “forcible and violent entry theft”.
That’s a significant increase in the number of similar crimes that are expected during the summer months, when more than a quarter of burglaries are classed as “opportunistic”.
Fridays are the most popular days for attempted break-ins. Sundays are the least popular.
Caroline Hunter, head of home insurance at the Co-op, said: “Being burgled can be extremely upsetting and traumatic.
“Unfortunately, when the clocks go back, darker nights do lead to more burglaries, so we’re urging people to be vigilant and think carefully about the safety of their properties.
“We spoke to a number of ex-convicts to understand first-hand how homeowners can keep their properties safe.
“Installing CCTV cameras, or at least dummy ones, is a key deterrent called out by ex-convicts and something we’d encourage homeowners to consider.”
As well as ensuring you have CCTV on your property, whether it’s working or not, the burglars had some other suggestions that they reckon will deter break-ins.
The second top deterrent to raiders was a barking dog, or a TV blaring inside the property.
Making sure you have motion-activated lights somewhere around your home can help. They also believe that a car or two parked in your driveway will put burglars off.
Obviously, it helps to make sure all your windows and doors, especially on the ground floor, are locked at all times.
And of course you do need to ensure your home insurance is up to date in case the deterrents don’t work.
If your energy providers offer you a smart meter, ask them how good it is before you say yes. Make sure you know what extra costs you’ll incur if you go over your call limit on your mobile.