Insurance
Revealed: the key dates burglars are likely to strike
You can relax a little on Christmas day and Boxing day, when burglary levels go down, but there are certain dates in December when you need to be extra careful to protect your property
Two of the top dates in December for thieves to strike last year were 17th and 18th, according to analysis of data by Direct Line insurance. The week leading up to Christmas is also a peak time for burglaries, with the 23rd December seeing the highest volume of burglaries over the last two years.
However, on analysing the data, Direct Line found that even burglars take Christmas off – with claims rapidly declining on Christmas Eve (65% below the yearly average), Christmas Day (56% below) and Boxing Day (41% below).
On yer bike!
Bicycles are the most common item stolen in the Christmas period, followed by mobile phones and tablets. In 2014, games console thefts peaked in December (31% above average) resulting in an appearance in the top 10 for the first time.
Katie Lomas, head of Direct Line home insurance, said: “With Christmas shopping now in full swing, households should not be complacent about home security. Burglary claims can peak during December, which reinforces the importance of taking steps to secure your home. It would be heart breaking to lose presents simply because the house was not properly secured.
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“It’s also worth bearing in mind that as people head out to Christmas parties or to seek some winter sun, householders should take simple security measures to deter potential thieves. This can be done by using a timer to turn lights on and off or if away for an extended period of time, asking a trusted friend or neighbour to collect any post that has piled up.”