Bristol in top three of UK burglary hotspots
Bristol is one of the worst places for home burglaries in the UK, according to a report released today.
Endsleigh Insurance has named Bristol joint third in its league table of “riskiest towns and cities for burglaries”.
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Bristol in top three of UK burglary hotspots
The table was drawn up using household theft claims over the past four years from tens of thousands of Endsleigh policy holders.
According to the report, Bristol homes are 48.6 per cent more likely to be burgled than the average home in the UK.
Top of the “riskiest for household theft” table is London, followed by Nottingham, with Bristol and Cambridge in joint third position.
Bristol has failed to move down the league table, after coming third in the same report last year.
This is despite Avon and Somerset police introducing a range of measures to cut the number of burglaries in the city. According to police figures, burglary offences in their area have reduced by 60 per cent over the past five years.
But the force says burglaries are now back on the rise and residents are becoming complacent about securing their property.
Statistics show that about 20 per cent of burglaries occurring in Bristol happen in the Redland police sector, which has a large student population.
In September 2007 police devised a five-year strategy to reduce the number of break-ins in Redland, Cotham, Bishopston and Ashley Down by 50 per cent as part of a Safer Bristol Partnership plan.
Officers carried out environmental surveys to find where improvements could be made to the street lighting, overgrown trees and bushes, open spaces and lanes. They also visited homes in the areas to make sure residents are aware of the problems.
In addition, the Safer Homes Vans scheme, which launched in 2000 in a bid to cut the number of repeat burglaries, has recently been expanded to cover 5,000 homes a year.
The vans, formerly known as Bobby Vans, are driven by skilled carpenters employed by Avon and Somerset police who fit basic home security improvements free of charge, including locks, bolts, door chains and viewers.
To offer residents advice on securing their properties, Avon and Somerset police launched its “Secure Your Manor” website in December 2007.
Endsleigh spokeswoman Rhiannon Harris said: “Obviously this is disappointing news for Bristol, but residents have reason to remain optimistic as there are some positive steps being taken by local police and community groups to address household security.
“Domestic burglary figures may have dropped substantially over the past decade but this period of economic gloom means there is no room for complacency when it comes to protecting your home.”
12 Comments
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by Steve, Briz
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 6:39PM
“To Mikos, Temple - well spotted that man! Just another example of press releases and surveys masquerading as "news", which understaffed news organisations (particularly local ones) willingly recycle to fill their pages, the sponsor (in this case, Endsleigh) gets a nice mention, and us plebs enjoy getting all outraged ("I finks we should lock 'em up, werr too soft, das da trubble..."). I suppose it's too much to hope that more people might read 'Flat Earth News' for a bit of balance?”
by Ned, Bristol
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 6:11PM
“As Bristol City Council have failed to supply a primary school for my 4 year old this year, I may have resort to crime to pay for private school fees.
Bristol is a disgrace we could and should do so much better.”
by Joe, Bristol
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 1:45PM
“Julraj - you may now get in trouble with Plod. You are not allowed to protect your possessions.
Plod ensure that a yob's human rights to invade our property and remove what they wish are fully protected. That will include prosecuting you for offensive behaviour.
You are not likely to see Middle East punishments here as the law won't even remove repeat offenders from the street, never mind remove limbs from repeat offenders.”
by Mikos, Temple
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 1:10PM
“Jaysus people, wake up! This is an advert for Endsleigh Insurance, masquerading as a news story. No more, no less. Who is the biggest insurer of students in the country, why Endsleigh of course....go figure.”
by craig, bristol
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 12:12PM
“@graeme its not just this report, moneysupermarket put bristol 2nd worst
see timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2009/02/is-your-home-in.html
you can add that to bottom of eduction league, worst congestion outside london, high house prices, still the locals think its great!”
by Triple locked in, Central Bristol
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 12:11PM
“Nationally, the detection rate for domestic burglary is so low a third of victims reportedly don't even bother to inform the police. Of those reported, only about 1 in eight results in successful detection. Amazingly, while nearly three quarters of burglars escape prison altogether, one in four burglars can expect to get no further sanction other than a police caution.
None of which answers the question why Bristol's burglary rate, in particular, is through the roof. I guess we must be doing something better.”
by Pogo the Clown, Fortress Pogo
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 11:41AM
“I was burgled a few years ago and have to admit that I could've made my home a lot more secure. It doesn't take much, just an awareness that you're as likely to be targetted as anyone.
Luckily, they stole a really ugly necklace my missus had inherited and we were able to use the insurance to get something much more tasteful.”
by dave, easton
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 10:51AM
“I have lived in London, Nottingham and Bristol. And I have never been broken into, mugged or attacked in any way. I would also like to point out that I have lived in Hackney and Forest Fields, neither of these places are thought of as safe!
If you think like a victim and act like a victim you will be one. I'm not a big man and I'm not scary at all. But I make sure my home is secured, and I don't walk around looking like a sap.
i agree that the stats from this report or biased towards students. And as a former student I can safely say that they are not the brightest bunch. They are often unaware of potential break-in points and don't really have any life experience to know how to deal with such matters.
This is not true of all students of course.
If you are seriously concerned about your home safety, start or join a neighbourhood watch scheme. But make sure everyone plays their part. Get to know your neighbours and look out for each other. Most importantly, wake up to the world around you. And realise that some people will take any opportunity to take from you. Don't make it easy for them! Install an alarm and put up a dog warning sticker. Whatever you can to deter an opportunist.
But don't live your life in fear, just be sensible. Don't get worried that it might happen to you. Just take the precautions get insured and live your life.
And if Endsleigh end up footing the bill, so be it.”
by Graeme, Knowle
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 10:28AM
“Good old statistics again.
Endsleigh is primarily an insurance company used by students, hence Cambridge, Bristol, Nottingham etc - all student cities and Redland being higher on the burglary scale because of its student population.
This story is more about student property and mass student accommodation burglary than actual burglary rates and as such gives a very biased impression of burglary in this city.
Why not use actual police figures in reporting, that way giving the correct information to anyone reading this.”
by Julraj, st andrews
Tuesday, April 14 2009, 9:20AM
“i once saw a hoodie on my road, he was lurking- probably to do breakins. i rang the police but in this pc day and age they dont do anything so me and my brother chased him away. he swore but at least no breakins. you can do it!”