One in ten burgled while on holiday

One in ten homes has been burgled while the occupants have been on holiday, new research from Churchill Insurance.

The total value of items stolen averaged £3,288 per incident, with residents away for a weekend or even just on a day trip.

"Arriving back from a holiday or a quick break to discover your home has been broken into is an awful experience for anyone to endure," said Claire Foster, spokesperson for Churchill Insurance.

"While insurance cannot prevent burglary, it can provide reassurance that the monetary value of anything stolen is covered."

The research also suggests a declining trend in traditional TV and stereo theft, as thieves are opting to take portable, easy to carry, high value items.

DVDs, CDs and videos, for example, account for 44 per cent of all property stolen, while jewellery (43 per cent) and money, cheque books and credit cards (42 per cent) were also popular targets.

In further good news for homeowners, the Cheshire Building Society (CBS) is warning residents to take care over the bank holiday weekend.

Statistics from the organisation reveal garden thefts are on the rise - with a third of all insurance claims occurring in the summer months.

"During the summer months there tends to be an increase in the number of garden thefts as people get their gardens into shape," said Karen Torson, partnerships business manager at CBS.

"Thieves will seize anything they can sell on including patio furniture, ornaments, electrical equipment such as lawnmowers and pressure washers and expensive plants and shrubs."

Chris O'Toole