Homeowners punished for security lapses

More than one in 20 homeowners have returned from holiday faced with a burgled house, new research reveals.

Insurance company Zurich found that many homeowners do not take adequate security precautions before jetting off on holiday, and some even fail to take out adequate insurance cover.

One in five homeowners own gadgets such as security lights and burglar alarms but forget to use them when they go away.

More worrying findings include one in ten leaving a door or window open or unlocked while on holiday.

In addition, one in 20 fail to make the necessary arrangements with milkmen and news agents, thereby allowing newspapers or pints of milk to pile up on their doorsteps.

Failure to take out adequate contents cover can make burglary a costly occurrence ? Zurich reports that its average claim for domestic burglary is £1,875.

Zurich has teamed up with reformed burglar Bob Turney, who is employed as a consultant to advise homeowners on simple steps to protect their properties while they are away.

Mr Turney said: "Whilst it's important to ensure your suitcase has some contact details inside it, should it get lost, don't write your home address on luggage labels attached to the outside of the case. It's not unknown for burglars to work in teams - with one getting addresses from luggage labels at airports or train stations and relaying the information to others to carry out the burglary.

Zurich spokesperson Maria Donald added: "Bob's advice is sound. In addition, it's worth checking your insurance policy to make sure that you have adequate cover for all of your household contents, particularly more expensive items such as jewellery."