Now that Halloween and Bonfire Night have come and gone, all attention is being focused on Christmas. Whether it is the high street store shelves, the local seasonal lights or the start of the Christmas markets, everything is now set to be geared up towards the festivities, even though December 25th is still several weeks away.
This will be an exciting time for many and a busy time for shoppers, but, unfortunately, it is a particular favourite time of year for burglars. While parents may tell their young kids that Father Christmas will be coming down the chimney with a sack of presents, there are many crooks out there hoping to enter your home and take those same gifts away.
Why Do Burglars Love Christmas?
Research by major insurers like Admiral has shown that the most popular days for burglars are all in November and December. The fact that the days are at their shortest and provide more cover of darkness is a factor, but the opportunity to steal newly-bought Christmas presents, sometimes from literally under the tree, is a prime motivation for thieves.
The question is, what can you do about it? The answers lie in a range of measures that can help protect your property. The most obvious is to give your home the early present of extra security by fitting a burglar alarm.
What Else Can I Do To Make My Home Safer?
Having an alarm fitted is the first thing you should do, but there are many other steps you can take.
- Make sure your doors and windows are securely locked
- Do not keep items in clear view of the windows. This includes only putting presents under the Christmas tree at the latest possible time
- Install motion-activated outdoor lights to deprive burglars of the cover of darkness
- Gravelly patches on your driveway prevent intruders from sneaking around in silence
- Keep your garden shed and garage locked and put away items like ladders, as thefts of outdoor equipment and break-ins to outbuildings also peak in winter
Why Should I Be Careful With Social Media?
As well as improving your home’s physical security, social media is another area where you need to be careful, as any criminals with access to it may gain clues about when you will be out, for example, if you reveal online when you are going out to a Christmas party.
Another danger is that by posting a video filmed inside your house, you give prospective burglars a free tour of the property, giving them clues of where to go to find the ‘goods’ they want to get their hands on.
According to police data, burglary rates in England and Wales have consistently fallen over the past two decades, with 245,000 recorded burglaries in 2024-25, compared with 890,000 in 2002-03.
However, that should not make anyone complacent. It is more likely that this drop is due to better security as households get wise to the tactics of the thieves, rather than any idea that they have decided to give up their lives of crime.
Christmas and the weeks leading up to it are the times to be wisest of all and take the necessary steps to keep your home secure. Don’t let your local burglars be like the Grinch and steal your Christmas.
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