Locks, lights and alarms were all high on the wish list of those wanting to regain peace of mind after a break-in, with some homeowners even buying dogs and high fences to keep the burglars out.
The research, commissioned by alarm monitoring firm Intamac Systems, found that 22 per cent of victims installed a new alarm after being burgled. However, 60 per cent said they thought their neighbours would not respond to it going off and just 11 per cent were ‘very confident’ someone would take notice.
Nearly half the participants said they had added extra locks to keep intruders away, while 37 per cent said they had changed existing locks. Outdoor security lights proved popular with 42 per cent of respondents and 10 per cent said they had bought a dog in the hope of scaring off criminals. One in 10 even admitted erecting a high fence around their property.
Despite the amount of security measures available, more than a quarter of victims said they had to move house to completely escape feelings of violation.
“Safest in Wales”
According to Intamac, one in four British homes has fallen victim to burglars. The survey cites Wales as the place homeowners are least likely suffer burglaries, with just 10 per cent of homes broken into. Londoners are most likely to be affected, with one in three homes targeted.
Official government statistics claim the number of domestic burglaries fell by 59 per cent between 1995 and 2007.
Intamac said that, if each household targeted by burglars went on to invest in a wide range of security measures (including an entry-level CCTV kit), a massive GB pound 27bn would have been spent over the last five years.
Counselling
“While we have tried to put a figure on peace of mind, it seems that feeling safe in your own home is priceless,” said Intamac spokesperson David Rimmer.
“After a break-in, the householder’s relationship with their home dramatically changes, with many striving to regain the apparent air of safety and normality they enjoyed before the experience. Those surveyed have gone to great lengths to achieve this, with some sadly having to turn to counselling sessions and 10 per cent even taking to staying in after dark.”
He added, “We were also astounded at the high numbers who didn’t have faith in their neighbours to come to their aid should their alarms go off”.
Eighty-four percent of break-in victims said they thought security was very important, compared to just half of those who had not been burgled.
