Property owners leave homes vulnerable to thieves

People throughout the country are risking making claims on their home insurance by failing to secure their properties, research commissioned to mark UK Home Security Week 2011 shows.

A number of ex-burglars were asked what they believe thieves use to make their jobs easier, with many of them (78 per cent) saying that social media is making properties vulnerable.

Google Street View was also identified as a tool used by burglars to determine which property they will target.

The most common reasons for entering a property were open windows, valuables being left in full view, statuses posted on social networking sties and hiding keys in doorways.

Parcel deliveries being left outside were also identified as a tell-tale sign that a property was empty.

Jonathan Lim, security expert at Friedland, commented: "The research has granted us access to an elusive group in society and assisted us in learning more about the habits of today's burglars."

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