HOMEOWNERS in Warwickshire are being urged to be vigilant amid fears of a post-restriction surge in burglaries.
An insurance expert says break-ins are expected to rise as people return to work in the wake of eased lockdown restrictions, leaving their homes unoccupied during the day.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey showed residential burglaries in Warwickshire fell from 2,058 in the 12 months up to September 2020, down to 1,282 in the same period a year later – a near 40 per cent drop.
The ONS attributed the fall to the impact of lockdown, when working from home became the norm.
Amanda Harman, of insurance brokers Lycetts, has voiced concern that those figures could reverse as people return to their workplaces.
She said: “While a return to normality and a fall in the number of burglaries is welcome, people can ill-afford to be complacent and extra attention should be paid to home security as homes have become easier targets for burglars.
“It is important homeowners check their home security systems are up-to-date. Alarms, security lighting, cameras and smart locks, should be in good working order.
“Many invested in new technologies while working from home. Coupled with that was the home improvement boom during the pandemic which saw many extensions being built, often housing expensive new home entertainment systems. This may have affected the level of cover needed.
“It is upsetting enough to be a victim of burglary, but finding that you are under-insured adds can compound the distress.”
