Shift in burglary targets

A new report has shown that burglars are now targeting different home possessions as the habits of consumers change over time.

A few years ago, the items most frequently taken from the home would include televisions and CD and DVD players, but this has now shifted to computers and cameras due to their size and value.

However, homeowners will be happy to learn that crime in England and Wales has fallen by seven per cent in the past year, with acquisitive crime (burglaries, car break-ins and robberies) decreasing by half since 1995.

Many experts believed there would be a wave in crime due to the recession, although this forecast scenario never fully took hold. There was a lower than expected rise in unemployment during the downturn, but the dip in crime could also be due to a general shift in crime trends.

The drop in crime may also be due to advancements in the safety features of both homes and cars. The number of homes with window locks and door deadlocks has grown dramatically throughout the last decade, keeping possessions more secure indoors.

Despite the lowered crime rate, homeowners should continue to keep their homes secure with these measures, and ensure that their insurance policies are still valid and cover all of their possessions. High value insurance can be purchased if a standard home insurance policy does not fully insure your home.

*Source: The Guardian at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/22/crime-figures-burglary-theft