Burglary rates are the worst in Birmingham’s B15 postcode, data from the Office for National Statistics shows.
In the area a staggering 57.7 home insurance claims are made per 1000 residents, far exceeding every other area of England and Wales.
Other areas where burglary cases are rife are the B94 postcode in Solihull (39.2 claims), and Richmond upon Thames in Greater London (38.1 claims).
In fact, Greater London postcodes make up 60% of the top 10 burglary hotspots in the UK.
Kara Gammell, home insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket shared the following steps to burglar-proof properties:
- GET SMART
Smart plugs are a simple but effective way to boost your home security. Turning lights on and off at random times makes it look like someone’s home, even when they’re not, which can be a deterrent, especially as the nights get darker earlier.
- BEWARE OF THE DOG
While it might seem like an extra warning, ‘beware of the dog signs’ can actually backfire. Burglars often assume homes with dogs don’t have alarm systems, or that the alarms aren’t turned on. So, if you do have a furry friend, it’s safer to just skip the sign altogether.
- INVEST IN SECURITY CAMERAS
A security camera doesn’t just record activity – it also signals to would-be thieves that they’re being watched. With most modern systems now being WiFi connected too, you can monitor your home via a phone or tablet, offering both peace of mind and protection whether you’re at home or not.
- ACTIVATE THE ALARM
An alarm is still one of the best ways to protect your home – just make sure that you actually switch it on every time you leave. Some insurance policies don’t cover you if the alarm is left off when something’s stolen, so make sure the activation is a part of your routine.
- KEEP YOUR CALENDAR OUT OF SIGHT
Leaving a calendar with your day-to-day plans on display near a window can make your home an easy target. A thief only needs to take a quick photo and zoom in to know exactly when your house will be empty, so keep calendars out of sight..
- SPLIT UP YOUR KEYS
It might seem handy to keep a spare key under the mat or a flowerpot, but burglars are savvy to all of the usual hiding spots. Not only does hiding a key make your home an easy target, it could also invalidate your insurance. Instead, invest in a safebox that’s approved by your insurer.
- MARK YOUR POSSESSIONS
Mark your possessions with a UV pen – a quick two-minute job that means anything stolen can be identified. The ink only shows under a blacklight, making it undetectable to thieves and invaluable for tracing valuables back to you.
What home insurance covers burglaries
- Buildings insurance – covers damage to your windows, doors and fences caused by a break-in, as long as these features are declared on your policy. You may need additional cover for any outbuildings.
- Contents insurance – covers the cost of replacing stolen belongings such as your phone, TV, laptop or clothes, up to the limit set by your policy.