One in four burglary victims’ homes targeted again

Burglary may be on the decline, but new research released today by Victim Support and Direct Line warns that we cannot be complacent about the impact that this type of crime can have on victims.

Disturbingly, the research found that one-in-four (25%) victims had been burgled more than once in their current home. Burglary can have serious effects on victims in practical, financial or emotional ways, and this kind of re-victimisation is of great concern.

The research also highlights that just under two-thirds (61%) of victims surveyed were at home when they were burgled. Forty-seven per cent were at home, but unaware that they were being burgled; 10% of victims saw the intruder in their home, and a further 4% were at home and aware of the burglary, but did not see the intruder.

The research was designed to help Victim Support improve the scope, effectiveness and quality of the services it provides for burglary victims. The research surveyed burglary victims who had been referred to Victim Support by the police.

The most common types of support that respondents wanted immediately after they were burgled were practical, including information from the police about the progress of the case (39%), advice on how to improve security (28%) and help in reporting the incident (26%).

Although only 22% of victims said that they wanted someone to talk to about the crime directly after it happened, 60% said that overall they felt emotionally affected ‘very much’ or ‘quite a lot’, demonstrating that the emotional effects of burglary are often not realised until some time after the crime occurred.

Servjeet, who lives in Bradford, was at home when she was burgled:

“When I opened the door to the dining room, the burglar was standing in front of me. I screamed and my husband came downstairs quickly, because he thought I was being attacked. The burglar ran out and got into our car and drove off with someone. For six months, I was afraid to go downstairs at night. I still haven’t got over the burglary. Every night before I go to bed, I put the chain across on the door and check the alarm. Victim Support was very good to us, because they helped us whenever I asked them.”

Peter Dunn, Head of Research and Development at Victim Support, says:

“This research tells us that the effects of burglary on victims can be traumatic, wide-ranging and long-lasting. We can give victims emotional support, practical help and information to help them come to terms with the experience of being burgled.

“Our help for victims can only be effective if we have a clear sense of what is needed. Unfortunately, our personal contact level with burglary victims has fallen in recent years due to a lack of resources. We really appreciate Direct Line’s commitment to funding the research, which gives us new insights to help us enhance the quality and range of services we provide to burglary victims.

“People often forget that Victim Support is a charity, and we need more donations and more volunteers if we are to provide the kind of help this research shows is so badly needed.”

The research findings are also relevant to the insurance industry as well as other voluntary and statutory organisations that are concerned with helping victims of burglary and reducing repeat victimisation. The partnership with Direct Line, one of the UK’s largest insurers, will also fund the development of a new toolkit of resources for local Victim Support groups working in the community to help burglary victims.

Simon Ziviani at Direct Line said:

“The research also highlights the financial impact that burglary can have on victims with inadequate or no insurance cover - as a responsible insurer, we want homeowners to understand the need for sufficient levels of cover.

“After a home burglary, victims can suffer in many ways. Financial hardship is one of the few consequences of a burglary that can be controlled by being adequately insured, which is why we are so pleased to have the chance to do this piece of important research with Victim Support.

“ By working with Victim Support we can better understand our customers’ needs and enhance the quality of our service to them while Victim Support helps to restore their confidence.”

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1. The survey was completed by 545 burglary victims from three Victim Support regions - South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex - who had been referred after a burglary in the period between June and August 2005. The research, conducted by Crime Concern, included the survey, focus groups, case study research and telephone interviews.

1. Electronic copies of the report are available on request.
2. Images depicting burglary scenarios are also available.
3. Victim Support and Direct Line spokespeople are available for interview. Interviews are also available with victims of burglary. Victim Support has ISDN facilities for broadcast interviews. Our ISDN number is 020 7587 1538.
4. Victim Support is the independent national charity for people affected by crime. Staff and volunteers offer free and confidential information and support for victims of any crime, whether or not it has been reported and regardless of when it happened. Victim Support works to increase awareness of the effects of crime and to achieve greater recognition of victims’ and witnesses’ rights. The organisation operates via a network of affiliated local charities, the Witness Service and Victim Supportline (0845 30 30 900).
5. Direct Line claims staff are specially trained using a programme developed by Victim Support for insurance company call handlers. The programme is designed to equip staff dealing with victims of crime to do so in an appropriate, sympathetic manner.

For more information, contact:

Victim Support:

Lucy Winter: 020 7896 3726 lucy.winter@victimsupport.org.uk
Andrew Buckingham: 020 7896 3750 andrew.buckingham@victimsupport.org.uk
Paul Fawcett: 020 7896 3803 paul.fawcett@victimsupport.org.uk

Direct Line:

Simon Ziviani: 0845 878 2270 simon.ziviani@directline.com