ADT shares the results of their recent survey on how many properties in the UK are at risk of being burgled

There were 192,060 residential burglaries in the last year, meaning on average around 526 burglaries occur every day.

With so many Brits falling victim to home break-ins, and the rise in home renovations over lockdowns, many now feel less safe in their homes and are opting to install increased home security measures.

Smart burglar alarms

The boom in popularity of home CCTV and smart burglar alarms means there are now more ways than ever to increase and monitor the home security.

They wanted to find out how many Brits have a security system at home

In the climate of security system installations to deter burglars, they wanted to find out how many Brits have a security system at home, along with how many people take basic precautions such as locking doors and windows while out. They conducted a survey with 2,000 participants from the UK to find out just how security-conscious the nation is.

Home security system

How many people have been burgled? According to the Office for National Statistics, England and Wales saw 266,283 burglaries take place in the last year. With so many homes affected by this crime, they wanted to discover which age groups are most targeted by criminals.

Those aged 55 and over are most likely to have experienced a home break-in, with one in five (22.73%) indicating that they have been a victim of burglary. One in five (20.34%) people aged between 45 and 54 responded that they have been burgled. They also found that 18 and 24 are among the most likely age groups to have been burgled, with almost one in six (14.42%) having experienced a home break-in.

Young people, often students, and seniors might be at a higher risk of falling victim to a home break-in, with burglars often enticed by the possibility of stealing goods such as laptops and the perceived lack of a home security system in these properties.

Feeling unsafe on occasion

They also found that more female respondents feel unsafe on occasion than males

How many people feel safe in their homes? They asked their survey respondents if they feel safe and secure while at home, to understand whether gender has an impact on feeling secure inside their property.

They found that men are more likely to feel safe and secure at home, with almost two-thirds (59.88%) of males responding that they feel safe all of the time. In contrast, 53.17% of female participants provided the same response.

They also found that more female respondents feel unsafe on occasion than males, with over four in 10 (45.83%) indicating they occasionally feel insecure in their homes. This is a smaller proportion compared to the male respondents to their survey, of which over a third (36.75%) admitted to feeling unsafe on occasion.

Vital protection from criminals

How many Brits leave their homes at risk of burglary when out? Securing home by locking all entry points is vital in protecting themself from criminals. While some Brits realise that leaving windows and doors and pet flaps unlocked, could have potential consequences in terms of home security, some are guilty of underestimating the ramifications.

Their survey found that over two-thirds (67.85%) of Brits have left their windows open while they’re out of the house, and more than two-fifths (41.8%) leave their front or back door unlocked when they leave their property.

Having potential consequences

Over a quarter (27.85%) of people have left their keys on the outside of the door lock after leaving home

The windows should always be locked when users are in bed and when they are out of the house and it’s even a good idea to lock the window if they are going to be in a different room for a while, as opportunist burglars may strike at any time.

They found that one in three (30%) people leave their keys inside the door lock, making them vulnerable to thieves attempting to ‘fish’ their keys through the letterbox using a hooked device. Over a quarter (27.85%) of people have left their keys on the outside of the door lock after leaving home, while one in eight (12%) have left their pet flap open.

Importance of home security

How many people leave their doors unlocked? Locking the door when they leave the house is one of the easiest things users can do to protect their home. However, although most of us are aware of the importance of home security, it can be all too easy to forget this essential measure when leaving the house in a rush. Returning home to realise that they left the door unlocked can be a shock, but just how often do Brits forget to secure their properties?

According to the results of the survey, over a quarter (28%) of people have left the door to their property unlocked by accident in the last year, with less than a quarter (21.8%) of people leaving it unlocked in the last month. They also found that almost one in five (18.4%) of people have left their door unlocked accidentally in the past week.

Home security system

How many people have home security systems? A home security system offers protection for their family and the property, by deterring criminals through the presence of outdoor cameras, video doorbells and signs of an alarm system.

The rise of smart home security offers an increased level of defence against burglars

The rise of smart home security offers an increased level of defence against burglars, thanks to the ability to check and monitor the home security from their smartphone and send users instant notifications upon the detection of suspicious activity.

They found that over one-third (34.15%) of respondents to their survey have a video doorbell installed at their property. Video doorbells often have motion sensors, send instant notifications to the handheld device and have two-way audio for protection against intruders.

They also found that one in three (30.65%) of respondents have CCTV installed in their homes, while an equal percentage of people have no home security at all.

Worryingly high proportion

How many people leave their doors unlocked while at home? Although most burglars will usually avoid targeting a house if it appears that someone is home, many break-ins take place while residents are inside their property. It is common for thieves to target a floor of the house which has no lights on, or to strike in the middle of the night.

Leaving the door unlocked while users are at home can leave them vulnerable to intruders, but just how many Brits are guilty of underestimating the importance of locking up? They found that around half (50.6%) of their survey respondents leave the door unlocked while they’re at home - a worryingly high proportion. In comparison, just under half (49.4%) of Brits make sure they lock their doors while at home.

Locking the doors to the property while users are at home is always recommended

According to the Office for National Statistics, as many as over three-quarters (76%) of domestic burglaries occur with the thief entering the property through the door. As one of the simplest ways to secure the house, locking the doors to the property while users are at home is always recommended.

Home security fears

How many people can't sleep due to fears of home invasion? Those who have home security concerns or have experienced a home break-in may be familiar with the anxiety and fear that can set in at night when they are in bed. They asked Brits if they have ever struggled to sleep due to home security fears.

Over half (52.35%) of respondents have struggled with home security fears disrupting their sleep on occasion, while four in ten (40.25%) have never experienced such difficulties. One of the best ways to combat these fears is to take precautions and ensure the home is secure.

Installing a smart home security system that is professionally monitored and installed and can be checked from the phone, composite doors, security lights, and window bars could help to provide an increased sense of security.