Winter burglary warning as it's revealed homes at much greater risk when clocks go back

Householders are being warned to be vigilant as the clocks go back later this month – as an insurer has recorded home theft claims spike in winter

Co-op Insurance said analysis of thousands of customer claims since 2013 found those for burglaries increase by 34% in the five months of shorter days after British Summer Time.

It compared claims figures in the five months leading up to the clocks going back with the five months after.

The analysis also found Friday is the most likely day for a theft to occur.

In the UK, the clocks go forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March and back by one hour on the last Sunday in October.

The clocks will go back on October 28 this year.

Dark winter nights provide an opportunity for criminals to spot unoccupied houses with no lights on.

According to Co-op Insurance data, home thefts between November and March are also more likely to be via forced and violent entry than in the summer months.

The Co-op also found that around the time of the clocks going back, the frequency of motor claims increases by 10% due to road traffic accidents.

Ian Kershaw, head of claims at the Co-op Insurance said: ‘Unfortunately darker nights lead to more burglaries so as the nights draw in we’re urging people be really vigilant when it comes to their personal safety, as well as the safety of their home.

‘Nobody should have to go through the trauma of having their property burgled.

‘Whilst in a lot of cases it is simply bad luck, there are things that home owners can do to deter thieves such as installing CCTV cameras, or at least dummy ones, and having a professional burglar alarm fitted to make burglars think twice.’