UK Homes Provide 'Shop Windows' for Burglars by Displaying GBP1,000s Worth of Goods

LONDON, April 8, 2011 - New research has revealed that the average UK home is a shop window of
opportunity for thieves. The survey, carried out on behalf of Ageas found
that homes across the UK have an average of GBP1223 of valuables such as TVs,
other electronic goods, antiques and works of art that are clearly displayed
for would-be burglars to see through home windows. The study, conducted among
2000 adults for Ageas by Populus also found that nearly one in five people
(18%) said that as much as GBP2,000 or more worth of valuables could be seen
by a passer-by looking through a window. One in three people (35%) said that
valuables worth more than GBP1000 could be seen.

Mark Cliff, Managing Director from Ageas Insurance, said that 'Caution
about valuables being visible to passers-by is not just for Christmas! We are
often reminded during the festive season not to stack presents under the tree
in view of the window but it seems that for the rest of the year we
inadvertently provide a veritable shop window display for burglars. And with
the lighter nights we're more likely to leave curtains undrawn for longer, so
now is the time to take stock and exercise caution.'

Roy Rudham, Chairman of UK Neighbourhood Watch Trust, which gets 15,000
visits to its website each day, said: 'People should treat their homes like
they treat their cars - don't leave valuables on show, lock the doors and
make sure you are insured. If you were to lock your home how easy would it be
for you to get in? If you can easily gain entry, then a burglar will be in a
lot faster than you.'

Top tips for homeowners include ensuring that expensive electronic games,
laptops and other valuables are kept out of sight of windows and that all
goods are marked with a security pen and properly recorded and photographed.
With net curtains being less fashionable in recent years, experiment with the
angle of any blinds fitted to allow light in; a view from inside but no view
from outside is worth considering. Ageas has teamed up with The Neighbourhood
Watch Trust to provide top tips to reducing the likelihood of becoming a
target for burglars - visit www.ageas.co.uk.

www.ageas-uk.co.uk

Neil Fullbrook, Cadence PR, +44(0)207-043-8847, neil at thecadenceteam.com Louisa Barnard, Ageas (UK) Limited, +44(0)23-8031-3147, louisa.barnard at ageas.co.uk Ageas UK Ageas House, Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA