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Victims of burglary often targeted more than once

27/04/06

A quarter of burglary victims have been burgled more than once in their current home, according to a new survey.

Research by Victim Support and insurer Direct Line has revealed that 25 per cent of victims have suffered from repeat burglaries, many of them actually being in the house while a burglary took place.

Nearly half – 47 per cent – of victims were unaware that a burglary was taking place, despite being in the house at the time, and a further four per cent were aware that they were being burgled, although they did not see the intruder.

An additional ten per cent of victims actually saw the burglar in their home.

Peter Dunn, head of research and development at Victom Support, said that the effects of burglary on victims can be "traumatic, wide-ranging and long-lasting".

Nearly two thirds of victims said that they felt emotionally affected "very much" or "quite a lot" and many wanted help and advice on how to improve security in their homes.

"We can give victims emotional support, practical help and information to help them come to terms with the experience of being burgled," Mr Dunn commented.

A spokesman for Direct Line, Simon Ziviani, said: "The research also highlights the financial impact that burglary can have on victims with inadequate or no insurance cover – as a responsible insurer, we want homeowners to understand the need for sufficient levels of cover."

Mr Ziviani added that financial hardship is one of the few consequences of a burglary that can be controlled by being adequately insured.