One in four ‘burglary homes’ targeted again
Burglary may be on the decline, but Victim Support and Direct Line warns that we cannot be complacent about the impact that this type of crime can have on victims.
Disturbingly, research conducted by Crime Concern found that one-in-four (25%) victims had been burgled more than once in their current home. Burglary can have serious effects on victims in practical, financial or emotional ways, and this kind of re-victimisation is of great concern.
The research also highlights that just under two-thirds (61%) of victims surveyed were at home when they were burgled. Forty-seven per cent were at home, but unaware that they were being burgled; 10% of victims saw the intruder in their home, and a further 4% were at home and aware of the burglary, but did not see the intruder.
The research was designed to help Victim Support improve the scope, effectiveness and quality of the services it provides for burglary victims. The research surveyed burglary victims who had been referred to Victim Support by the police.
The most common types of support that respondents wanted immediately after they were burgled were practical, including information from the police about the progress of the case (39%), advice on how to improve security (28%) and help in reporting the incident (26%).
Although only 22% of victims said that they wanted someone to talk to about the crime directly after it happened, 60% said that overall they felt emotionally affected ‘very much’ or ‘quite a lot’, demonstrating that the emotional effects of burglary are often not realised until some time after the crime occurred.
Servjeet, who lives in Bradford, was at home when she was burgled: "When I opened the door to the dining room, the burglar was standing in front of me. I screamed and my husband came downstairs quickly, because he thought I was being attacked."
"The burglar ran out and got into our car and drove off with someone. For six months, I was afraid to go downstairs at night."
"I still haven’t got over the burglary. Every night before I go to bed, I put the chain across on the door and check the alarm. Victim Support was very good to us, because they helped us whenever I asked them."
Peter Dunn, head of research and development at Victim Support, says: "This research tells us that the effects of burglary on victims can be traumatic, wide-ranging and long-lasting. We can give victims emotional support, practical help and information to help them come to terms with the experience of being burgled."
"Our help for victims can only be effective if we have a clear sense of what is needed. Unfortunately, our personal contact level with burglary victims has fallen in recent years due to a lack of resources. We really appreciate Direct Line’s commitment to funding the research, which gives us new insights to help us enhance the quality and range of services we provide to burglary victims."
Burglary may be on the decline, but Victim Support and Direct Line warns that we cannot be complacent about the impact that this type of crime can have on victims.
Disturbingly, research conducted by Crime Concern found that one-in-four (25%) victims had been burgled more than once in their current home. Burglary can have serious effects on victims in practical, financial or emotional ways, and this kind of re-victimisation is of great concern.
The research also highlights that just under two-thirds (61%) of victims surveyed were at home when they were burgled. Forty-seven per cent were at home, but unaware that they were being burgled; 10% of victims saw the intruder in their home, and a further 4% were at home and aware of the burglary, but did not see the intruder.
The research was designed to help Victim Support improve the scope, effectiveness and quality of the services it provides for burglary victims. The research surveyed burglary victims who had been referred to Victim Support by the police.
The most common types of support that respondents wanted immediately after they were burgled were practical, including information from the police about the progress of the case (39%), advice on how to improve security (28%) and help in reporting the incident (26%).
Although only 22% of victims said that they wanted someone to talk to about the crime directly after it happened, 60% said that overall they felt emotionally affected ‘very much’ or ‘quite a lot’, demonstrating that the emotional effects of burglary are often not realised until some time after the crime occurred.
Servjeet, who lives in Bradford, was at home when she was burgled: "When I opened the door to the dining room, the burglar was standing in front of me. I screamed and my husband came downstairs quickly, because he thought I was being attacked."
"The burglar ran out and got into our car and drove off with someone. For six months, I was afraid to go downstairs at night."
"I still haven’t got over the burglary. Every night before I go to bed, I put the chain across on the door and check the alarm. Victim Support was very good to us, because they helped us whenever I asked them."
Peter Dunn, head of research and development at Victim Support, says: "This research tells us that the effects of burglary on victims can be traumatic, wide-ranging and long-lasting. We can give victims emotional support, practical help and information to help them come to terms with the experience of being burgled."
"Our help for victims can only be effective if we have a clear sense of what is needed. Unfortunately, our personal contact level with burglary victims has fallen in recent years due to a lack of resources. We really appreciate Direct Line’s commitment to funding the research, which gives us new insights to help us enhance the quality and range of services we provide to burglary victims."
posted by tony at 4:14 PM
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