Winter warning from home insurance provider

The number of burglaries soars in winter, a home insurance provider has warned.

Offences caused by forced entry rise by 21 per cent as part of an eight per cent total rise in break-ins, new figures from Halifax Home Insurance have revealed.

This equates to a forced entry every 60 seconds throughout the winter months, which could potentially result in home insurance claims to recover lost goods.

Home insurance claims may also be necessary to cover damage done by criminals, as the Halifax research indicates that 38 per cent of burglars force a door lock and 22 per cent force a window lock.

Furthermore, 16 per cent break a door panel to gain entry, while 14 per cent smash a window.

Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter for Halifax Home Insurance, comments: As the nights get darker and winter approaches, householders should be taking as many precautions as possible to ensure their homes are secure.

Simple measures like adding extra high quality locks on windows and doors, installing burglar alarms and security lighting should also be considered.

American Express recently warned that home insurance claims rose by 25 per cent as a direct result of Bonfire Night.