Watchful neighbours can help home insurance costs

Millions of Britons do not know who their next door neighbours are, according to Post Office Home Insurance.

'Everybody needs good neighbours' seems to be a dying fad in the UK, with millions of Britons not knowing who their next door neighbours are, according to Post Office Home Insurance.

Research from 1347 Neighbourhood Watch residents and a Post Office Home Insurance survey of 1030 members of the general public, found eight per cent of people did not know the name of their neighbours and four per cent would not be able to tell the difference between their neighbour and a stranger at the door.

The results also found that nearly 60 per cent of the general public believe crime levels are rising compared with just 18 per cent of Neighbourhood Watch members.

Chairman of NNWA, Roy Rudham stressed the importance of getting to know neighbours to make communities safer.

Claire Oldstein head of Home Insurance at the Post Office, added: "It is clear that Neighbourhood Watch members benefit from their local schemes and the feeling of safety and community they bring. Less crime in an area also means lower household premiums for all so everyone benefits."

Areas with higher crime rates tend to bring higher premiums for homeowners, with the increased risk of theft or break-in taken into account when issuing policies.