Share your tips on how to beat the burglar

A new online community hub has launched to help homeowners in Oldham share their best home security tips to beat the burglar. 

The free-to-use platform unveiled by online security retailer safe.co.uk is in response to its new study into the impact of crime across the North West, which reveals that 30-per-cent of homeowners would use physical force when confronted by a burglar.

A further 11-per-cent of people admit to keeping a weapon in the form of a knife or air rifle in their bedroom, while 17-per-cent keep household items such as golf clubs, brooms or heavy ornaments in the bedroom to use against intruders.

Around a third of homeowners (31%) admit they’d try to make noise to scare the burglar away, whilst only 13-per-cent would try and get out of the house.

Over a quarter (26%) would hide in the house and call the police.

The research unearths the true extent of the emotional impact of burglary, with over half of those affected (56%) feeling unsafe in their own home and almost a quarter (22%) fearful it will happen again.

Sleepless nights plague 32-per-cent of burglary victims in the North West and 20-per-cent admit their mental wellbeing was negatively affected.

A staggering 26-per-cent of people admit to being burgled in the past five years, with a further 21-per-cent claiming they know a friend or neighbour who has fallen victim. 

Anthony Neary, managing director for safe.co.uk, said: “We decided to launch our new online community hub after our study revealed that many homeowners are prepared to attack a burglar or even use a weapon to protect themselves.

"It’s designed to help people in Oldham share and access security tips without having to resort to extreme measures that could put themselves in danger.

“Protecting your property can often be common sense, so the homeowner judged to have the best tip or advice will win a state-of-the-art home CCTV kit.

"It’s our hope that the hub will continue to grow and provide an invaluable online resource to homeowners across Oldham.”

Residents in Oldham looking to share a security tip or simply gain some advice and wisdom from fellow homeowners, can access the online community hub here: https://www.safe.co.uk/unlocking-your-security-tips.

The homeowner judged to have the best tip will receive a Swann CCTV kit worth £199.*

*Entrants wanting to be in with chance of winning the Swann CCTV kit must upload their home security tip by midnight on August 31, 2018. T&Cs apply.

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