Paradoxically, although almost all (99%) of the homeowners surveyed said that feeling secure in their homes was important or very important to them, only two thirds (69%) of those who had locks on their windows said they always use them and one in seven (15%) still leave their front doors unlocked, locking them only when the house is left unattended. This is despite official crime figures showing that in three quarters of burglaries the offender gains entry through a door, with a window being the point of entry in the majority of other cases.
Everest's Marketing Director, Martin Troughton, says
"The research shows that the effects of burglary can be long term and far reaching, having a significant impact on our sense of security and wellbeing. Yet it also showed that many of us are still not doing the basics to put off opportunist burglars, such as simply locking our doors and windows - the most common points of entry for a break-in. As we head into the peak period of the year for burglaries, it is a good time to take stock of our security and ensure we're not taking unnecessary risks with our homes and our wellbeing."
"By installing products that are 'Secured by Design' approved - a police initiative to 'design out crime' with physical security - and fitting virtually impenetrable locks such as our GrabLock mechanism, homeowners nowadays can have much greater reassurance and peace of mind when it comes to their home security. Advances in Smart technology also now provide a sophisticated and reliable way to help ensure our homes are as safe and secure as they can be."