The growing street crime risk

Home insurer, MORE TH>N warns in a new survey that the nature of crime risk is shifting as street crime increases while domestic burglaries decrease.

Home insurer, MORE TH>N warns in a new survey that the nature of crime risk is shifting as street crime increases while domestic burglaries decrease.

Its research shows that over £1billion worth of property is stolen each year as thieves focus on small, high value items. Youngsters meanwhile now own more than £5,300 worth of gadgets (video phones, plasma TVs, play stations and so on) on average. And they're likely to become more susceptible to street crime as these smaller high value gadgets become the most desirable.

Home Office crime figures show that in some areas of the UK muggings are up by 40% on last year, with senior officials blaming the increase on teenagers carrying expensive gadgets.

Nearly half (45%) of under 24 year olds will buy the latest gadget as soon as it comes out or when they can afford it: 22% of young people own an iPod and 68% own a digital camera.

Young Londoners lead the way with almost twice the national average owning videophones (48%), plasma televisions (24%) and iPods (29%).

Thieves, seemingly, are now ignoring hefty items such as televisions and videos, which were their favourites five years ago - jewellery, cash and handbags now being the most desirable items for burglars.

The study also shows that identity theft is the fastest growing crime in Britain. Thefts from the home involving credit cards have tripled in the last decade and those involving purses, handbags and wallets have doubled. You have been warned.

Click here for a list of low cost property insurers