Analysis reveals Friday 12th November is the UK's prime 'Crime Night'

4min read

11 Nov 2021

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· Homeowners should be extra vigilant as 12th November, this Friday, is historically the day most burglaries take place

· Nearly £900,000 worth of valuables could be stolen on this day alone

· Burglaries increase by a third during darker winter months

Homeowners beware, 12^th November, this Friday, is the day Brits are most likely to be burgled, with an average of more than 300 reported cases across the UK, reveals new research from Churchill Home Insurance¹. With the typical burglary claim costing in excess of £2,700, it is estimated that nearly £900,000 worth of valuables could be stolen on this day alone.

Analysis² of home insurance claims over the past three years reveals that this spike in crime coincides with the clocks going back, as burglaries increase by a third (34 per cent) during the darker months. November sees around 8 hours and 37 minutes of sunlight every day, nearly two hours less than October (10 hrs 32 mins)³. Churchill is therefore warning homeowners to be extra vigilant with the safety of their homes during this time.

Some 37 million adults, 70 per cent of Brits, believe that their home is at greater risk of burglary during the darker months, with over three quarters (76 per cent or 15.8 million people) of older people (over 55) feeling the most at risk, compared to 65 per cent of those aged 18-34 (9.5 million) and 68 per cent (11.7 million) of those aged 35-54.

Despite people feeling that they are at more risk of burglary over the winter period, many are unwilling to make changes to their properties to better protect themselves. Nearly half of Brits (49 per cent) aren't planning to install additional locks on windows and doors, for example, while 54 per cent of Brits - some 28.7 million people - wouldn't install smart security systems such as a 'Ring' doorbell to protect their home from burglary.

Table 1: Top five precautions Brits are least likely to take to protect their home from burglary

Precaution	Percentage of people who wouldn't do this	Estimated number of people who wouldn't do this
Install a gravel driveway or path	69 per cent	36.3 million
Installing smart security systems (e.g. Ring doorbell)	54 per cent	28.7 million
Installing traditional security systems (e.g. CCTV camera, motion detector lights)	50 per cent	26.5 million
Installing additional locks on windows and doors	49 per cent	25.9 million
Keep lights on a timer	36 per cent	19.0 million

Source: Churchill Home Insurance,2021

Sarah Khan, Head of Churchill home insurance said: "This analysis highlights a worrying trend in burglaries as the nights get longer, so we really encourage people to take extra care, especially around the 12^th November. The clocks going back gives burglars plenty of opportunities to operate under the cover of darkness.

"However, there are small steps you can take to reduce the chance of a burglar targeting your property, including installing security lights, a home alarm system or a smart doorbell so you can keep an eye on your home even when you are out and about. It's also important to have a comprehensive, up-to-date insurance policy that covers householders in the event of them becoming a victim of burglary."

Regional findings

People living in Southampton (77 per cent) feel the most at risk of being burgled over the winter, ahead of Belfast, Brighton and Edinburgh, Leeds, and Norwich (all 76 per cent), while Birmingham residents are more likely to believe that the winter months don't make you more at risk (57 per cent).

Churchill has provided the following tips to help people make their homes as safe as possible against the threat of burglary:

· If you have a security alarm, use it. Burglars will be able to tell if the alarm is not used and serviced regularly so it will not act as a deterrent unless it is used

· As well as installing security measures like cameras and alarms, also ensure other items that may be used by burglars for breaking and entering, such as ladders or hammers, are locked away and out of sight

· If you are away, ask family, friends, or neighbours to pop around, leave a light on or invest in timed lights. Don't make it obvious that no one is home

· Think like a burglar and see where the best points of entry to your home are and prevent anything happening. Make sure all windows and doors are locked

· Try not to leave packaging for new expensive goods outside your home. It is better to take it to a public recycling bin, as it can attract burglars and unwanted attention

ENDS

Notes to Editor

¹ Research conducted by Opinium amongst 2,000 UK adults between 8^th - 12^th October 2021

² Analysis of Direct Line Group home insurance claims dated between 2018 and 2020, broken down by date and whether claim occurred in British Summer Time or Greenwich Meantime

³ Monthly hours of sunlight for the UK calculated by taking the average number of hours of daylight across five major cities across the UK (London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, and Glasgow) in both October and November

For further information please contact:

Hayley Saunders
Churchill PR Manager

Tel: 07814269915

Email: [email protected]

Samantha Stewart

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 025 6497

Email: [email protected]

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com