Burglars’ bonanza as homes are left empty

There will be plenty of burglars celebrating this Christmas. That’s because one in four of us leave our homes empty during the Christmas period, with an average break of four nights. According to research from Direct Line Insurance, 11 million homes are empty for at least on night between Christmas and New Year and Christmas presents worth an estimated £1.6 billion are at risk during the festive season.

Forty-seven per cent of the people who go away leave new presents worth an average of £285 behind. Most of the people who go away (74 per cent) are visiting family and friends, but there are others who choose to go away from home, spending Christmas breaks in the sun or skiing (3 per cent) or in a hotel overseas (12 per cent).

Some cities will see a mass exodus, with 39 per cent of Londoners planning to leave the capital for the holidays. In the North East, 34 per cent of the population plan to spend Christmas away, while 30 per cent of Scots plan to leave. Other empty home hotspots are the East of England (28 per cent), the North West (27 per cent), the East Midlands (26 per cent), the South East (24 per cent), Yorkshire (23 per cent), the South West (22 per cent), Wales (22 per cent) and the West Midlands (18 per cent).

A quarter of homeowners feel that their homes are more vulnerable at this time of year and 13 per cent worry about being victims of crime. Recent statistics from insurance companies suggest that there is good reason for concern, with burglaries increasing and the average value of good stolen increasing during this period.

Given this fact, it’s best for homeowners to take measures to protect and secure their homes, with window locks, deadlocks and other security measures. They should also make sure their home insurance is up to date.