Law-Abiding Give Thieves Easy Ride With Lax Security

We have all done it; popped out of the house for five minutes to visit a neighbour and left the door on the latch. We like to think that where we live is safe as houses. It seems, however, that we should be more careful with our homes and make sure they are locked up even if we are only going next door to borrow a cup of sugar.

A quarter of all successful burglaries occur because thieves have been able to let themselves in through an unlocked door, new market research has claimed.  And the law-abiding are giving them an easy ride, with 17 million adults saying that they leave their houses unlocked while they are at home.

This misplaced faith is perhaps why around 55 per cent of all burglaries take place while someone is at home, suggested the report by a well known high street building society. More than two-thirds of burglars rely on external doors when they are going about their business.

"Judging by the findings of our report millions of Brits still live in the past," said a spokesman for the firm.

"Locking doors is such an effortless action and yet it probably provides the most effective deterrent to any thief.  Householders should be aware that leaving a home unlocked when it's unoccupied could invalidate a home insurance policy - leaving the homeowner to pick up the pieces alone."

On average, a British household contains over £3,000 worth of goods which can be stolen far more easily when front or backdoors are left open, as these are the points of entry for around 68 per cent of all household robberies.

With a rise in street crime it is clear that that idea that any street in Britain is safe is enough for you to leave your door unlocked is little more than a nostalgic notion.

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