Brits hit by home security fears

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In news that will interest those considering home insurance deals, research has revealed an increasing fear of stranger danger at Britain's front doors.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of Britons confessed to feeling unsafe in their own home, while more than a quarter (27 per cent) said they felt more fearful today than just five years ago.

Some 47 per cent of Brits admit that they never open the door to strangers with 46 per cent choosing to hide or pretend that they are not in rather than answer the door, according to a study by Sheilas' Wheels home insurance.

However 83 per cent are not embarrassed to use a door chain when opening the door and over three quarters are not afraid to ask for ID from an unexpected caller.

Highlighting a demise in community spirit, the survey also shows that 45 per cent of Brits do not know the names of their neighbours and only 21 per cent are now members of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The research found that the capital was the region most lacking in community spirit with 55 per cent of Londoners revealing that they do not even know what their neighbours look like.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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