Security 'key to home insurance'

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Householders could reduce the number of claims made on their home insurance by investing in extra security measures, figures have suggested.

A report by the Home Office found that properties with little security were almost five times as likely to be burgled as those with "basic" measures, such as dead locks, window bolts and alarms.

While noting that the number of break-ins had fallen significantly since 1995, the British Crime Survey found that three-quarters of burglaries - 550,000 - took place at "unprotected" homes.

Police said the drop had been driven by improved awareness and increased use of security measures.

Elsewhere, officials found that purses, wallets and money were the most likely items to be stolen, with such goods taken in almost half (46%) of all break-ins.

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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