BURGLARY HAS LONG LASTING EMOTIONAL IMPACT

With 789,000 [1] burglaries carried out in England and Wales last year, new research from Allianz Insurance has found that it takes, on average, eight months for victims of burglary to feel safe in their home again following the incident. Only 45 per cent return to feeling 100 per cent safe in their home all the time. Surprisingly, one in 10 has resorted to moving house after a burglary.

Over a third (35 per cent) of those questioned had been burgled on more than one occasion, with 41 per cent saying they or a family member was at home when the break in happened. 15 per cent of cases say they either saw or confronted the burglars.

As well as feeling unsafe, victims display a variety of emotions in response to a burglary according to the research. Anger is the strongest emotion that victims of burglary reported – lasting for an average of 11 weeks, while feelings of anxiety and worry last for around two months; which in some cases can have varying psychological impacts on victims.

Tom Moss, underwriting director at Allianz Insurance, said: “Burglary isn’t just about losing your possessions, it also violates people’s sense of feeling safe in their own home. The research we conducted found that the majority of burglary victims became more security conscious after a break in, with nearly half changing or adding locks and a third installing a burglar alarm. We urge homeowners to act now and improve their home security to help prevent a break-in which could have significant effect on their mental wellbeing.”

Post burglary as well as adding new practical safety measures, many of those burgled also developed new habits to help them feel safer. These include double checking windows and doors are locked (61 per cent), leaving valuables out of sight (37 per cent, making sure their home looks lived in (31 per cent) and leaving the light on at night (26 per cent).

Pat Green, services manager for Victim Support in London, said: “We support millions of burglary victims each year and see first-hand how a break in can have a significant emotional effect on people and how every victim of burglary reacts differently. One in five of all the calls Victim Support takes are from people wanting help after a burglary. Allianz’s research highlights how important our work is with burglary victims, offering practical and emotional support to help people to cope and recover. Anxiety and worry can have a serious psychological impact on some victims.”

One in three people sought help after a break in, with nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) receiving counselling via their GP and the same proportion sought practical or emotional advice post the crime from a charity, while a further 15 per cent turned to friends and family.

The research also found:

• Gaining entry by either the front or back door, accounts for half of all burglaries (52 per cent)
• Some burglars got in through open doors (nine per cent) or windows (five per cent) and even entered the house using a spare key (two per cent).

For more information on Allianz Insurance, please visit: allianz.co.uk

ends

Notes to Editors

[1] ONS Crimes Figures – England and Wales 2014 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/year-ending-september-2014/stb-crime-in-england-and-wales--year-ending-september-2014.html#tab-Theft-offences-–-Burglary

About the research

This survey was carried out on behalf of Allianz Insurance by OnePoll Research 12/03/15 – 17/03/15, who interviewed 500 burglary victims.

About Allianz

Allianz Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz SE Group, one of the leading integrated financial services providers worldwide and the largest property and casualty insurer in the world. With approximately 142,000 employees worldwide, the Allianz Group serves approximately 78 million customers in more than 70 countries.

The mission of Allianz Insurance is to be the outstanding competitor in our chosen markets by delivering products and services that our clients recommend, being a great company to work for and achieving the best combination of profit and growth.

Victim Support

Victim Support is the independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. Every year we contact more than million people who have been victims of crime. The charity gives victims free and confidential emotional support, as well as practical help and information about the criminal justice system. It also runs the only service supporting young witnesses who have to testify in court. Victims of crime can contact the charity via its website: victimsupport.org.uk or its Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111