A look at the items stolen most often from UK homes

Friday, 22 February 2013 11:58

Safeguard your valuables from thieves

Safeguard your valuables from thieves

There is perhaps nothing quite as upsetting for homeowners than to fall victim to burglary. Whether it is an item that only has sentimental value or something worth several thousand pounds, the sheer experience of having your possessions stolen can be very distressing.

Having anything taken from your property is bound to be unpleasant, but it appears there is an increasing trend for thieves to target certain items. Here’s a look at a few of the popular products that are taken most often.

Smartphones

Mobile phones have been among the most commonly stolen items ever since they came on to the market in the 1980s, though the emergence of smartphones in recent years has possibly made them even more popular to steal.

Not only does their compact nature make them easy for thieves to pocket, but smartphones are constantly in demand and have a high resale value. According to research by LV=, the typical smartphone is worth more than £400 on the black market, when the value of the handset itself and any downloaded content and apps on the device are taken into account.

Not only are stolen mobile phones sold to unsuspecting consumers on online auction sites like eBay, but thieves are also often inclined to sell them to recycling companies in exchange for cash.

Apple iPad

The Apple iPad has proven an incredibly popular item for thieves to target over recent years, with the tablet computer topping the LV= study for the most commonly taken product from Britons’ homes.

Like smartphones, these products have a high resale value – the going rate for these on the black market is thought to be £210 – and their flat, slim casing means they are very easy to pick up and carry away.

Jewellery

Jewellery is another extremely common item that is taken from British homes, not just because of its high financial value, but also as it’s very easy to resell – especially if it’s taken to a pawnbrokers.

It’s difficult to know exactly how much jewellery is stolen from the UK each year – partially because the value of items regularly changes – but it’s safe to say that goods worth several million pounds are taken each year.

As an indicator, a one-day raid carried out by Camden Police in October 2012 saw £140,000 worth of stolen watches and jewellery seized from seven businesses that were involved in the handling of stolen items.

Taking action

As you can see, many of the most commonly stolen items are not only expensive, but also highly transportable and easy to sell on. Consequently, it’s vital that you do everything in your power to minimise the chances of this happening. This means that you need to improve the overall level of security in your home, with installing mortice locks on doors, which can be done by Prime Alert Locksmiths London, and a motion sensor lighting system being just two great ways to reduce the chances of burglars being able to make their way in.

It’s also a good idea to keep electrical devices and other expensive products away from windows wherever possible, otherwise you may be giving opportunistic thieves an additional incentive to break in when they know that you are not home. You should also bear in mind that improving the security of your home can result in you getting a discount on your insurance policy, though you will have to make sure you install products that have been approved by your insurance provider to benefit from this.

Meanwhile, having good-quality contents cover – whether it’s insurance for expensive jewellery or electronic gadgets – means that, in the event your items are stolen, you don’t have to pay for them to be replaced out of your own pocket.

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Finance articles

  • A look at the items stolen most often from UK homes

    There is perhaps nothing quite as upsetting for homeowners than to fall victim to burglary. Whether it is an item that only has sentimental value or something worth several thousand pounds, the sheer experience of having your possessions stolen can be very distressing.

  • Advice for affluent people wanting more for their money

    Having a certain degree of affluence can afford you access to the finer things in life, such as living in a chic neighbourhood, going on luxury holidays and driving high-performance cars, but that doesn’t mean you should be frivolous with how you spend your money. Just like everyone else, it’s important you make your cash work hard for you.

  • Brokers vs comparison sites – which is best?

    Although getting insurance is unlikely to be the most exciting thing you ever purchase, it is an essential – and quite often legally-binding – product to have. As such, it’s important to get the cover that is right for your needs, something that will take a little time and effort to achieve but ultimately prove worthwhile.

  • Questions to ask when choosing insurance policies

    Whether you’ve got a new sports car or have just finished refurbishment work on your property, it’s vital you have a sufficient level of protection in place for your possessions. Needless to say, not having the right amount of insurance – or even worse, lacking cover altogether – can leave you significantly out of pocket in the event of an accident or becoming a victim of criminal damage.

  • FAQs when searching for new insurance providers

    Whether you have just made a new purchase that you want to protect or are looking to switch from your current provider in the hopes of getting a better deal elsewhere, it is important that you take the time to search for the insurance company that is right for you.

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