November and December are the most burgled months of the year in the UK, a report revealed today
RIAS, which provides insurance to older people, analysed claims data from its 500,000 home insurance customers over a three-year period. It found that that November 2012 had an average increase of 10% in burglary frequency, while the first week in December 2012 saw a rise of 25%.
The research said that people living in large cities and towns were most vulnerable to property break-ins, with West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester emerging as the most burgled areas.
Average burglary claim payouts were £2,433 but increased to £2,474 in November as people began to fill their houses with valuables ahead of the Christmas period.
RIAS also found that larger properties were significantly more at risk than smaller properties as they often contained more valuables and were more accessible because of multiple entry points.
The firm found that, whatever the area and size of the property, burglars looked for the same things: small and easily portable high-value items. Jewellery, cash and laptops were the most regularly stolen valuables.
Burglars tended to exploit the same entry points, most often targeting and gaining entry through a back door or window.
