2m Brits regularly leave homes unlocked

Posted : 03-08-2006

During the summer months over two million Brits leave their homes unlocked, making a tempting target for opportunistic burglars, it has been found.

Also 17 million people leave their homes unlocked while they are on the property, despite the fact that over half of burglaries occur while the home is occupied, Halifax home insurance has found.

One in four burglaries involve a thief obtaining entry through an unlocked door, according to Halifax.

Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter at Halifax Home Insurance, commented: "With street crime rising by eight per cent this year the idea that any street in Britain is safe enough for you to leave your door unlocked is little more than a nostalgic notion. But judging by the findings of our report millions of Brits still live in the past."

"Locking doors is such an effortless action and yet it probably provides the most effective deterrent to any thief."

A full three per cent of homeowners leave their doors unlocked because they feel they have nothing worth stealing.

Often if a thief has gained access through an unlocked door, a contents insurance policy will refuse to pay for the items stolen.


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