Nearly three million households have been targeted by bogus callers or distraction burglars in the last five years, according to a study by Sainsburys home insurance .
Distraction burglary, where one burglar keeps the attention of the householder by claiming to be from a bogus organisation while an accomplice robs them, has affected 2.8million people, which is six per cent of the UK adult population.
The research reveals that older people are more likely to be victims of distraction burglaries, however other age groups are also vulnerable and the Government set up the Distraction Burglary Task Force in 2000 to tackle this type of crime. Further data from Sainsbury’s home insurance shows that domestic burglary rose in 2009 for the first time in six years.
Ben Tyte, manager of Sainsburys home insurance, said: “We’d strongly recommend that homeowners take basic steps to protect themselves, whether this is by using a door bar or chain or simply contacting an organisation if a caller arrives unscheduled.”
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