A recent survey has found that just 10% of people are planning to replace or repair locks or add more security to their homes in 2020.
The data showed that almost all of those asked were not planning any kind of work to their home security. This could be linked to a lack of need in repairing or replacing locks around the property, or it could be linked to homeowners not prioritising it as something they wish to spend money on over the coming year.
This comes after finding a number of household crime statistics, which showed that the properties most likely to experience crime were semi-detached houses. While flats and maisonettes were the least likely. The same data also details household crime reports from around the UK, with the North West having the highest numbers, compared to the North East which had the least.
We also found that students saw the lowest numbers of household crime as opposed to the employed who experienced the most and that those aged between 45 and 54 were the most likely to be victims of household crime. When comparing males and females, it was males who saw the most household crime, with over 20,000 reported cases in Q1 of 2019.
This Is Money recently some of the worst areas for household crime, with Birmingham being the hardest hit. The Times also reported that burglaries in the UK have risen by 68% since Boris Johnson took up his constituency.
It's essential to have your locks and home security in good working order to help prevent the likelihood of experiencing household crime, but the latest figures show that most homeowners are not planning any kind of work on their household security over the coming months.
National body, Neighbourhood Watch, explains that most burglaries are carried out by opportunists that look for properties which are lacking in security. They also state that costs incurred when taking measures to protect the home, such as installing new locks, should be seen as an investment to help improve your peace of mind and keep your property safe from a break-in.
If you are thinking of upgrading or repairing your home security, including locks. Be sure to keep in mind the following -
- Ensure that any work carried out complies with relevant regulations. Exterior locks or 5 lever locks should adhere to British Standard 3621. This can be found on the kitemark which is usually stamped on the faceplate of the locking mechanism.
- If your household insurance covers break-ins, be sure to read the small print. Many insurance companies require that the home be fitted with specific insurance-rated locks, so it is worth double-checking this to ensure you are fully covered if anything does happen.
- If you are renting a property and notice any issues with your locks, report to your landlord as soon as possible. They should be aware of any problems with your household security and is often their responsibility to repair this for you.
- Check the date of installation of your locks. Even if they appear to be in good working order, they may be old or out of standard, so check that they are still in accordance with current regulations.
Other tips to help deter a burglar include -
- It goes without saying, but never leave doors or windows unlocked when you are out.
- Don’t leave spare keys in plain sight, near windows or where they can be seen from the outside.
- Always remove post or junk mail from the letterbox. If leaflets or letters are hanging out of your letterbox, this can be a sign that you aren’t home.
- Keep curtains and blinds open during the day. If they are closed burglars may think you aren’t home.
- Keep expensive items out of sight of windows if possible. Jewellery, laptops and tablets should be hidden away
Data/Info sources -
https://more4doors.com/pages/household-crime-stats-2019
https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-7881313/Postcodes-Britain-burglaries-2019-B5-top.html
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/burglaries-rise-by-68-per-cent-in-boris-johnsons-seat-w20v6rjj9