In recent weeks, the suburbs of Teddington and Bushy Park, under the postcode TW11, have been named as one of the highest claim areas for burglary in the country. Several other affluent areas in Greater London, such as Richmond (TW10) and Twickenham (TW12), have also been named in the list of Top Twenty Burglary Claim Hotspots.
It is extremely unsettling to think about your house having uninvited guests in it, particularly when you are trying to enjoy a holiday and recuperation trip. And people seem to forget, not only is burglary a violation of your property, it is a violation of your privacy. Nobody wants to come home to see their possessions, underwear, keepsakes, and valuables, scattered about the floor.
In my own road, in the last week, a burglary was carried out on my neighbour’s house. They returned home from a week away to find that their property had been broken into. Their car, computer and several pieces of jewellery had been stolen. Personally I feel slightly concerned for the safety of my own house after the robbery, and am taking more precautions when I leave home.
There are many ways in which the Police departments in your local area can give advice on how to keep your house secure and minimize the risk of burglary. They advise keeping house and car keys hidden, installing a visual burglar alarm, and using radios and timer lights to create a sense that the house is occupied. All of these precautions will reduce the risk of a burglary and all the emotional scars that such an experience brings, so please, be safe and be secure!
Lily Askham, Waldegrave School
