Homeowners fear violent burglaries increasing

The poll of more than 600 people across the UK revealed that 69% of people felt the risk of personal attack by intruders had increased over the past decade.

The survey from security firm ADT also showed more than four out of 10 (41%) homeowners kept some form of weapon at hand in case of a break-in.

Over one-fifth of these (21%) kept an item of sports equipment such as a cricket bat or golf club to hand, while 20% had a household item such as a rolling pin or frying pin ready to use to defend themselves. Worryingly, 7% even admitted to keeping a knife or gun to tackle burglars.

ADT said that official crime figures published in January had shown that the number of residential firearms robberies had increased by 46% last year to 645 cases in England and Wales. This was up 204 on the previous year and four times the level recorded in 2000/01.

Avoid confrontation

However, with the most recent Home Office British Crime Survey (BCS) estimating that there were around 440,000 domestic burglaries where the property was entered last year - the proportion of such armed attacks on homes remains low at around one in every 700 incidents.

At the same time, reformed burglar Michael Fraser, who featured in BBC series To Catch A Thief and Beat The Burglar, warned homeowners not to take on criminals.

"Far too many people are willing to take matters into their own hands, which is the most dangerous course of action," he said. "Burglars are not to be trifled with - under no circumstances should people attempt to confront them."

He added: "Homeowners need to think seriously about this matter and if they are forced into a situation where they are burgled whilst at home, they should lock themselves in a room and call for help."

Basic security

Both the British Crime Survey and police recorded crime figures have shown considerable falls in domestic burglary since figures peaked in the early-mid 1990s - down by around 50%.

The BCS has also shown that basic security can considerably reduce the chances of being burgled. Households with no security measures were almost ten times more likely to have been victims of

burglary than households with simple security measures such as deadlocks on doors and window locks.

ADT's Helen Wylde said: "People are concerned about protecting their families and possessions - yet the rest of our research reveals some worrying details about the nation's home security habits, for example over a quarter of respondents agreed they don't always lock their back door.

"Homeowners should also be aware of some of the other impacts of burglary such as emotional distress, which can often have a lasting effect. We would advise all homeowners to take this issue seriously and act sooner, rather than later."

The research was carried out by GfK Consumer Omnibus using a "representative sample of 640 homeowners aged over 18."