Two-thirds of homeowners don’t have an alarm system despite rise in burglaries

• One in three people (30 per cent) never review their home security and almost one in five (17 per cent) homeowners don’t have any form of home security
• One in five (22 per cent) wouldn’t spend more than £100 on home security despite the risks
• 527 home burglaries each day across England and Wales last year, up from 2021
• Leicestershire Police saw reported burglaries between 2021 and 2022 increase a staggering 39 per cent

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of British homeowners do not have an alarm system installed in their home to protect them from intruders or burglaries, according to new research by Churchill Home Insurance.¹  Three-quarters (75 per cent) of people do not have motion sensors to detect for intruders in their home and almost the same number do not have cameras protecting their property.

With the number of burglaries rising year-on-year, home security measures are increasingly important. In total, 192,336 domestic burglaries were reported to the police in England and Wales last year, equivalent to 527 home burglaries each day, a slight increase from 2021 when there were 523 burglaries each day.²

Almost a third, 30 per cent of people have never reviewed or updated their home security system since installing it and almost one in five people (17 per cent) have no form of home security system at all. One in five homeowners (22 per cent) report they would not spend more than £100 on home security despite the known risks. A third (31 per cent) think they don’t need home security systems where they live.

The greatest motivation for people to install home security measures is for increased peace of mind (49 per cent), to protect their home (31 per cent) or to install a system into a property they recently moved into. Interestingly, just one in ten (11 per cent) householders is motivated to increase their home security measures because of nearby reported crimes.

Sarah Khan, Head of Churchill home insurance, said: “Home security is a top priority for most homeowners and it’s important not to be complacent about it. Burglaries are growing more frequent and can be an extremely traumatic event for victims. Knowing that your home is as protected as possible from intruders provides huge peace of mind. Having a strong home security system in place can reduce the risk of a break-in and also keep down the cost of your home insurance policy. We’d advise homeowners to review their home security on a regular basis and view as a priority.”

Regional burglary figures  

Across England and Wales of the forces experiencing a significant number of burglaries, Leicestershire Police saw the greatest increase in reported burglaries between 2021 and 2022, up a staggering 39 per cent, followed by Staffordshire up 30 per cent and Cleveland up 26 per cent. By contrast, Devon and Cornwall saw a 21 per cent drop in reported burglaries and Merseyside a 16 per cent decrease.

Table One: Burglaries in England & Wales⁵

Source: Churchill Home Insurance

Home Security Tips from Churchill Home Insurance:

• In 30 per cent of burglaries, thieves gain access through an unlocked door or open window⁴, so always be sure you have locked up when you go out.
• Use key-operated locks on your windows, particularly on those that could be accessed easily by thieves – but don’t leave the key in the lock.
• Get an alarm and make sure it is visible as it acts as a deterrent to potential intruders
• As a further deterrent, leave a light on when you go out at night to give the impression someone is at home. If you’re going on holiday, lights can be activated to come on at night using a timing device. Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place, such as under the doormat or in a flowerpot – thieves know where to look!
• Contact your local crime prevention officer who will be able to visit you and give advice on securing your home.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

¹ Survey research conducted between 14/08/2023 – 18/08/2023 with a sample of 2,000 UK homeowners.

²  Analysis of reported burglaries by police forces across England and Wales, 2021-2022.

³ Home security | Churchill

⁴ www.crimereduction.com

For further information please contact:

Hayley Saunders

Churchill PR Manager

Email: [email protected]

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.