Am I more at risk of being burgled in 2021

A response by Jon Caldwell, Security Consultant, at Caldwell Security.

2020 was a devastating year across the World, due to the impact of the Covid-19 Virus. In the United Kingdom thousands of Families were inconsolable at the loss of loved ones, who succumbed to the Virus.  Millions of other people were severely affected by members of their family being hospitalised, and suffering the effects from catching the Virus.

There was very little positive news during 2020, but the overall crime rates in England and Wales were lower during the coronavirus pandemic, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting that, although the Police recorded 5.8 million crimes in the year ending March 2020, there was a drop of more than 40% in offences of theft and robbery in Police recorded crime during April to June 2020, when compared to April to June 2019. The ONS figures show there were 356,000 burglaries, in England and Wales, in the year ending March 2020.

The Hertfordshire Police Crime Statistics for Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock, for the 12-month period from December 2019 until November 2020, show there were 240 Domestic Burglaries.  By comparison there were a total of 1,146 Burglaries for the previous three years.

Although the number of burglary victims in North Hertfordshire is relatively low, I can say, as a previous victim of a burglary at my home address, that the emotional impact on burglary victims is immense. The trauma can last many months, and for some for many years, with some victims having to move home, because they no longer felt safe.

With my many years of police experience, I am also very much aware of the pain felt by those burglary victims who lose property of sentimental value.  Some valuable property can be quite easily replaced, but those items with precious memories can never be replaced, and will be missed forever.

There are also those burglary victims who have very strong feelings that their home has been violated by the Criminal who burgled their home, and can suffer badly, often for many months, or years, and never quite feel the same about their home.

I strongly believe the reason there has been a reduction in burglaries, during 2020, is because the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many more people working from home, or being home to look after their children, because their schools are closed. This has meant the opportunist Criminal has been unable to find empty homes, that can easily be burgled. Burglars do not want to risk being disturbed whilst in a house, and usually seek premises with a very low level of risk of being caught.

In answer to the question ‘Am I more at risk of being burgled in 2021?’ in my opinion we are likely to see a rise in the number of burglaries during 2021, once the Vaccination Programme enables Lockdowns to be lifted, schools re-opened, and people going back to work, because more homes will be unoccupied. The number of unemployed is reported to have reached 5%, and there are therefore many people who will need funds to keep their lifestyle, and therefore, for criminals, breaking into homes, especially seeking cash, jewellery, and other valuable items that can easily be sold, will be a high priority.

I therefore advise anyone who is concerned that they might become a Victim of burglary, they should consider booking a Consultation , with Caldwell Security, to receive a low cost, bespoke, Crime Prevention Security Survey of their property, at a starting price of £30.  To learn more about our burglary prevention service please click HERE

Caldwell Security Consultants will provide, no obligation, security mitigation recommendations, but they do not provide installation, or supply, of any security products.