As thefts over Christmas are expected to increase by 10%, reformed burglars confess the top 10 places they search for your valuables.
One hundred ex-burglars’ confessions on where they used to look for valuables saw the old-time crooks bizarrely list ‘inside the VCR’ at number nine.
The research found that more than half of those in the North West (56%) have been burgled – or know of a burglary that happened in their neighbourhood.
Nearly a third (29%) admitted that this made them feel unsafe in their own home, with 13% claiming that it made them want to move house. Two in five (38%) were worried their property would be targeted next.
Mark Shaw, Residential Business Director of ADT who conducted the study, said: “When a burglary takes place, we understand it can leave you feeling scared and vulnerable.
“With Christmas just around the corner, it is crucial that neighbourhoods come together to protect their homes.
“Carrying out some simple precautionary measures like securing windows and doors and keeping presents out of view can help to reduce the risk of burglary.”
Spending over Christmas is set to rise to £70billion this year, with burglars keen to get their mitts on expensive presents such as the latest smartphones and jewellery.
Reformed burglars warned it is becoming less of an opportunistic crime and that they now thoroughly examine how they would approach the property beforehand.
The research also revealed that homeowners would feel safer knowing their neighbours were keeping an eye out on their property over the Christmas period.
Despite this, nearly half of householders (47%) felt they would be thought of as nosey or interfering by their neighbours if they kept an eye out for unusual behaviour.
A third (31%) also said they didn’t trust any of their neighbours enough to leave a house key with them.
Image courtesy of Nico Nuyda, with thanks
