1 in 10 men would use a gun to protect their home - if faced with a burglar

New research for National Home Security Week (21-27 August 2006) shows some Brits are willing to risk their lives to defend their properties against intruders, but are unwilling to take simple preventative measures

[ClickPress, Wed Aug 23 2006] Despite the threat of prosecution, British homeowners are prepared to protect their homes and family from burglars using extreme measures. New research1 from Micromark prior to National Home Security Week (www.homesecurityweek.co.uk), which starts next week, shows 8 out of 10 people would use anything to hand to protect their homes if faced with an unwanted intruder. Men would go even further – 1 in 10 men would use a gun and 1 in 8 would use a knife.

There is clear support for some homeowners who take the law into their own hands: an amazing 83% of respondents think it’s unfair to prosecute people who protect their property with a weapon. This dangerous and high-risk approach is not to be condoned – and the clear aim of National Home Security Week is to increase awareness of the effective preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of intruders gaining entry in the first place.

The Home Office reports the cost of burglary to the nation to be £2.8billion each year2. Official figures put the number of burglaries anywhere between 645,0003 and 880,0002 – or up to 100 burglaries every hour of the day and night. People obviously do recognise the risks – Micromark research shows 98% of victims had home contents insurance1, and official ABI figures for 2005 show people spend an average of £159 per year. Given these figures, it’s amazing that 39% of homeowners surveyed did not have any home security deterrents at all – and 45% of people spend nothing on home security each year. National Home Security Week encourages homeowners to take pro-active action now to reduce their risk of being burgled.

Further Home Office research4 shows burglar alarms and CCTV to be the greatest burglary deterrents - over 80% of burglars are put off by these. However only a very small number of homes have them - our new research shows less than 1 in 5 victims had an alarm system and only 1 in 30 had CCTV.

Nathan Cole, Senior Product Manager at Micromark, comments: “Our research shows how strongly homeowners feel about burglary if confronted with an intruder – however the point of National Home Security Week is to highlight ways to reduce the risk of being broken into - deterring burglars without having to resort to drastic and dangerous measures.

“Nobody wants to come face to face with a burglar, and there are simple, effective and affordable deterrents available to put them off. In fact our previous research5 with convicted burglars shows over two-thirds are deterred by the presence of some home security. And it doesn’t have to be expensive - burglar alarms and CCTV systems are available from as little as £30 and security lighting and timers start from under £10."

Stephen Belgrave from the charity Crimestoppers comments: "Crimestoppers works to reduce and prevent crime of all kinds to help create safer communities. We encourage members of the public to take preventative measures against burglary such as installing CCTV or security lighting. Instead of taking drastic measures, we advise the public to look at alternative ways to protect their property and think National Home Security Week is a great way to highlight the importance of home security. Anyone with information about crime, who does not want to contact the police can call us safely and anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The emotional impact of a burglary cannot be underestimated and many victims suffer lasting psychological problems. 1 in 4 people who have had an intruder in their home have suffered from stress and anxiety and more than 1 in 3 feel uncomfortable being in the house, according to the research1.

For many victims of break-ins it’s a case of being wise after the event. 65% added security to their property after being burgled - 1 in 4 people added an alarm with the same number installing window locks. Only 1 in 13 added CCTV – a surprisingly low figure, given that previous Micromark research5 showed 67% of burglars avoid properties with CCTV installed.

1 in 10 people admit their security measures remain poor despite suffering a break-in. Burglary victims who do nothing should beware: Home Office research4 shows over two-thirds of burglars had returned to a property they had burgled before and taken items from it on a second occasion – compounding the distress.

Reducing the personal cost of burglary – such as the loss of irreplaceable sentimental items, stress and anxiety of the intrusion and the hassle of dealing with police, insurance companies and tradesmen – can only benefit everyone, as well as reducing the huge cost to the nation. With £2.8billion to spend, the UK could build 7 new £400m 'super hospitals', or 1,867 new £1.5m primary schools around the country, or 215 new £13m secondary schools.

The research of victims highlighted an important point between the sexes: women are much more emotionally affected by burglary than men – almost half are uncomfortable being at home, almost 1 in 3 suffer anxiety and stress and 1 in 10 don’t like being home alone. Interestingly, more than 1 in 6 women have a dog as a burglary deterrent, twice the number of men - who rely more on locks, alarms and lighting.

Tips to reduce the risk of burglary

• Close and lock all doors and windows to deter opportunist thieves
• Use timers to switch on your table lamps, radio and TV whilst you are away so it looks like you are home
• Fit a burglar alarm and make sure you fit an alarm siren box at the front and back of your home so they act as a deterrent to intruders
• Install a spyhole or home CCTV system. A Micromark CCTV camera can automatically change the channel on your TV so you can check who is at the front door, or start your video recording if an intruder is detected
• Fit security lanterns to your porch and floodlights in your garden. Any unwanted visitors will trigger the sensors, flooding the area with light
• Plant thorny trees such as holly under vulnerable windows or low walls to deter entrance
• Remove keys from locked windows and doors and keep them out of sight in a safe place
• Check who is at your front door before opening it and use a safety chain for added security
• When you go away on holiday, ensure you cancel your newspapers and milk and ask trusted neighbours to push through any mail that is left in your letterbox


National Home Security Week
For further information and to download our Insider’s Guide to Home Security, visit: www.homesecurityweek.co.uk

Leading home security manufacturer, Micromark, is proud to be sponsoring the fifth annual National Home Security Week which takes place this year from 21st – 27th August. National Home Security Week encourages homeowners to think about their home security and aims to raise awareness of the simple preventative measures people can take to reduce both the risk of crime and fear of crime in their own home.

Regional Headlines
People in the North West are most likely to use a knife in the event of a break-in – 13% would protect themselves with this weapon. The region’s homeowners are also most likely to use a gun in self-defence.

People in South West and London are least likely to use a weapon if they found a burglar in their home (18% and 17% respectively would not consider using a weapon).

The Welsh are most supportive of people that protect their property. 90% think it’s unfair to prosecute people who defend themselves from intruders with a weapon. Scots are the most likely to take a dim view of this kind of self-defence – 24% think the legislation in place is fair.

Homeowners in the South West are most likely to consider moving house if they were burgled – 42% would seriously think about upping sticks. The people of Yorkshire are the most defiant in the face of a break-in – 73% of people in the region would stay put.

Scots are the least security conscious – 49% spend nothing each year on home security measures like burglary alarms. This is surprising as incidents of burglary (housebreaking) in Scotland are almost as high as England and almost double that of Wales – 397 per 10,000 households against 435 in England and 213 Wales (according to Office of National Statistics). There were 34,959 burglaries in Scotland in 2004/5 according to Scottish Executive figures.

People in the North West suffered the most psychological problems after suffering a break-in. 34% experienced anxiety and stress.

- ends -


• 1Research carried out by Tickbox.net, August 2006, sample size 1,264 consumers
• 2Source: Home Office - Estimates of the economic and social costs of crime in England and Wales: Costs of crime against individuals and households, 2003/04 – updated June 2005
• 3Source: BCS 2006 Crime Report shows number of adults victims of crime – 645,118
• 4Source: Home Office ‘Decision-making by house burglars: offenders’ perspectives’ in 2004
• 5Research carried out on 35 convicted burglars by The Survey Shop August 2005


Notes to editors:
Micromark
Micromark is a leading home security manufacturer, No.1 in domestic CCTV systems – see www.micromark.co.uk.
Micromark is working in partnership with the Home Office on its Property and Household Crime Reduction Programme and is also working with Crimestoppers.
Micromark is the proud recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation (2004) in recognition of its development of the domestic CCTV market.

Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers is the only charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every week is charged with murder, as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. Crimestoppers provides the phoneline 0800 555 111 where people can give information about crime anonymously, without fear of retribution.


Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 800,000 calls with useful information, resulting in over 73,000 arrests and charges. Over £90 million worth of property has been recovered and over £129 million worth of drugs.


Press contacts
For further information please contact: Jim Buchanan on 07725 257194, or pr@micromark.co.uk or Maria Eleftheriou 020 8829 6354 or email info@micromark.co.uk

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