New Year's Eve break-in worries for homeowners

Around eight in ten Brits say they worry about having their homes broken into on New Year's Eve, research out today shows.

Fretting over leaving the house at new year will lead 16 per cent of homeowners to stay home on the big night, an Abbey Insurance survey reveals.

Anthony Frost of Abbey explained that recent headline-grabbing break-ins may have got the nation feeling more anxious about leaving their homes than in previous years.

"Perhaps recent high-profile burglaries, such as those of Liverpool footballers Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, have served as a timely reminder as to what can happen to your home when burglars know you're not in," he said.

Mr Frost added: "At this time of year, it's common for opportunist burglars to take advantage of our well-stocked homes, especially if they can readily see the contents on display.

"The long dark nights and Christmas and new year's party season also provide opportunities for burglars, so we would encourage people to take precautions this New Year's Eve to deter potential burglars.

"If you're going out, make sure you leave the lights on - preferably on a timer - and that there's nothing obviously expensive on display either in your home or outside where you dispose of your rubbish.

"It's also worth taking extra care to ensure that all your doors and windows are properly locked and that alarms are set, where appropriate."