One In Four Britons Lives In Fear Of Burglary
25% of those interviewed admitted that the fear of burglary was a constant worry, and 15% have sought professional home security advice. However, although the most recent crime statistics show that in 1997 there were over 1.6 million actual and attempted house burglaries*, and the Government predicts of a rise in domestic burglaries, 34% of us have a 'laid back Larry' attitude to home security saying 'if it happens, it happens'. 14% of us also believe that we have nothing worth taking.
The survey also revealed the extreme measures that some people would take to protect themselves against burglary. Although over half of us would take more sensible and practical home security steps, such as fitting mortice locks (51%), a small percentage of those interviewed said they would fit bars to doors and windows (5%) or surround their home with barbed wire (1%).
But what do British people perceive as being effective home security? Respondents were asked about a variety of options and answers varied from buying a dog to keeping an inflatable blow-up dummy visible through a window.
82% of those interviewed thought that burglar alarms are effective. However, despite burglar alarms being accepted by both the police and criminals as being the most effective deterrent, closed circuit TV (CCTV) and guard dogs scored higher, with 86% and 87% respectively.
When asked what they would do if they heard a burglar breaking into their home in the middle of the night, the survey discovered that 44% of us would take the sensible and advisable option and ring the police. However 27% said they would tackle or investigate the burglar. Interestingly, 42% of our macho British men would address the situation directly, compared to only 15% of women.
British Gas Home Security offers free security checks carried out by trained security advisors, call Freephone 0800 004 999. As part of the check, the advisors can provide you with valuable advice on all your home security matters, from window and door locks to burglar alarms and smoke detectors.
* Source: The 1998 British Crime Survey
British Gas, the UK's largest domestic gas central heating and servicing organisation, now offers a national Home Security operation providing security checks, installation, monitoring and servicing to its customers. British Gas' years of providing a first class service to British homes means customers receive a trustworthy, expert, value-for-money service for all their domestic needs.
Technical details
MORI interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2,005 adults between 2 and 5 July 1999.
