Homeowner victims fear repeat burglary

by Richard Kilner

Story link: Homeowner victims fear repeat burglary

Fewer than half of burglars (44%) convicted in 2010 were subject to a custodial sentence, and of those who got a suspended sentence more than half (52%) went on to reoffend, according to data that LV= received in response to an FOI request.

The figures comes as new research suggests homeowners are concerned about repeated burglaries, with 9% of those burgled in the last five years suffering the crime again.

After burglary, many homeowners suffer stress (23%), and 28% do not feel safe in their own home any longer.

Unfortunately, the odds are burglars won’t be caught, with 60% of victims reporting that their burglar was not caught by the police.

Many homeowners do not take basic security measures, with 24% not locking their doors and only 47% having dead bolts on exterior doors.

John O’Roarke, LV= home insurance MD, warned that failure to take basic security precautions could leave homeowners vulnerable to opportunistic thieves and urged all homeowners to ensure they had suitable security measures.