High-tech neighbourhood schemes could impact on home insurance

Many Brits said they would join their local neighbourhood watch scheme if it used more high-tech methods of preventing crime, which could have a positive effect on home insurance premiums, suggests a survey.

Over 80 per cent of Brits said they would sign up to a local crime prevention group if it was using technology such as email alerts, text messages and online community forums to help prevent crime, according to research by the insurance company, Zurich Insurance .

Approximately a third of homeowners want to see an online chatroom where neighbours could inform each other about burglary, vandalism and graffiti. Another 31 per cent want to see more CCTV cameras installed in their local area.

The insurance company's survey suggests that a sense of community still prevails in many areas of the UK, with over half the respondents saying that they know their neighbour well and would keep an eye on the safety of their property.

Martin Hall from Zurich Insurance commented that despite falling levels of crime, the fear of crime is still a major problem, leading people to seek the help and support of local crime prevention groups.

Therefore it's no surprise that people want to feel safer and are looking at new technology to play a part in protecting them, he added.

He further explained that as well as providing homeowners with peace of mind, membership of a neighbourhood watch scheme could help reduce their home insurance premiums in the long-term.