26% increase in burglary between Halloween and Bonfire Night
Homeowners have been warned to be extra vigilant as police expect burglaries to rise in the week between Halloween and bonfire night.
Research conducted by Aviva and 16 police forces across the UK found the week from 30 October to 5 November last year saw an average increase in reported burglaries of 26% compared to the remainder of the year.
Aviva property claims director Rob Townend, said: “Unfortunately, the combination of darker nights and a mischievous occasion like Halloween or a noisy one like Bonfire Night present too good an opportunity for some criminals to resist.”
Police in Strathclyde saw the highest rise with burglaries up 57% on average, while Northamptonshire followed with 53% and South Wales with 45%.
Aviva claims data for the past 10 years shows bonfire night is the worst night of the year for break-ins with an average rise of 28%.
The data also shows on Halloween night there is an average rise of 150% in malicious damage claims to the home, with damage to cars rising by 50% and car thefts rising 20%.
Common Halloween claims include smashed windows, vandalism and damage to garden property.
“Simple measures can help to minimise the risk – put the car in the garage if you have one, tidy up any loose garden items or ornaments so they are not used to cause damage and make your house look occupied if you are going out by leaving lights on and of course make sure all doors and windows are securely locked,” Townend added.
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