New Year's Eve worst time for burglaries

According to Norwich Union claims data, homes are 25% more likely to be burgled on 31 December, with thieves taking advantage of partygoers who leave their homes unoccupied and full of expensive gifts.

The insurer also warned that the cost of a burglary over the festive season could be up to £350 higher than usual because of all the extra items in the home. It said the average burglary claim now stood at £1,200.

Norwich Union urged homeowners to take extra security precautions over the coming weeks. For example, people should avoid discarding whole gift boxes in dustbins, as this could give thieves a clue to what they might find in the home. Boxes could be broken into small pieces for recycling or placed in a sealed bin bag instead.

Anyone leaving their homes for an evening out should leave lights on, ensure all doors and windows are securely locked and keep expensive gifts out of view. Homes without burglar alarms were more likely to be targeted.

Research by Norwich Union has also shown that many homeowners give burglars a helping hand by hiding presents in obvious locations around the home, such as wardrobes (44%), under the bed (23%), or in the shed (12%).

Burglary wish-list

The insurer revealed the most frequently stolen items from last Christmas, along with with an indication of what burglars could be targeting this time round.

The most stolen items of Christmas 2005 were mobile phones, followed by MP3 players, sat-nav systems, digital cameras and games consoles. Other items popular among thieves last year were laptops, LCD televisions and designer watches.

Norwich Union said it was expecting similar items to be targeted this year, with mobiles such as the LG Chocolate and the Motorola KRZR, as well as Apple's latest iPod music players topping the burglary wish-list.

With the recent launch of the Nintendo Wii, and its limited availability, games consoles would also be easily sold on by thieves this year, so those lucky enough to have purchased a Wii, or anyone with an Xbox 360, needed to be extra vigilant.

'Double check'

Jason Harris, senior claims manager at Norwich Union said: "Of course everyone wants to put their presents under the tree for Christmas but before the big day ensure they're tucked away somewhere safe and not in full view to every passer-by.

"The attic or loft is a good hiding place for presents - your average burglar doesn't have time to climb into your attic and it's also safe from excited children desperate to get a sneak preview of what they can expect on Christmas morning.

"And at New Year make sure you double check your home before you embark on your night on the town - you don't want to begin 2007 with a burglary."

The insurer reminded policyholders of the need to reassess their household cover after Christmas. Because of all the extra items in the home at this time of year, Norwich Union gives an extra £3,000 worth of contents cover over the festive period.