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Week nights are prime time for burglars
27/09/05
Burglars are more likely to strike on weekday nights than on the weekends despite many people staying at home, a new survey claims.
Research by Churchill Home Insurance found that Wednesday night is the prime time for burglars in Wales, East Anglia, the north-west and Scotland. Although many people pop out to socialise, play sport or take evening classes, others prefer to unwind in front of the television.
Friday and Saturday nights come second in the list as many people head out for the evening and criminals take advantage of empty houses. Yorkshire and Humber and the East Midlands are the burglary hot spots during this time.
Homeowners in London and the south-east should also be wary of Thursday nights when they are most likely to be burgled. Homes in the north-east are at their most vulnerable on Saturday afternoons.
Churchill says the average cost of each claim was around one thousand pounds in 2004. This adds up to £127 million a year.
Martin Scott, head of Home Insurance, said that an open window or an unlocked door is an invitation to burglars and homeowners need to ensure their homes are secure whether they are in the property or not.
"Burglaries can obviously occur at any time but a few simple precautions can make a real difference. Home owners should always be mindful of the risk of burglary and secure windows and doors when going out, even if it is only to visit a neighbour for a few minutes," he said.
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