More than a quarter of Brits have a weapon in their home to use on intruders, a study by Swinton has revealed. Researchers found that nearly one in ten adults doesn’t feel safe in their own home and 27% of householders keep a weapon ‘just in case’.
More than a third of those people keep something close at hand to protect themselves from any unwanted visitors, with the most popular places being either by or under the bed.
17% instead keep a weapon by the front door, according to the poll by the home insurance retailer.
The most common ‘just in case’ item was a baseball bat, followed by a heavy duty torch, but one in ten would reach for a walking stick as their defence against intruders.
Sports equipment was a common choice as golf clubs, cricket bats and hockey sticks were all listed as precautionary weapons.
Steve Chelton, spokesperson from Swinton said:
‘’It’s a sad sign of the times that so many British householders don’t feel safe in their own home.’’
‘’If you feel vulnerable it’s important to do everything you can to secure your home by fitting good locks on windows and doors alongside installing devices like alarms and security lights.
‘’Many adults, especially those that live alone or are vulnerable keep a weapon for peace of mind, without having the intention of using it.
‘’You would hope people would have the sense to call the police if they suspected an intruder in their house and not try to tackle them themselves. Of course it is also vital to have adequate home insurance in case the worst should happen and people need to replace damaged or stolen items.’’
The study of 2000 householders revealed that 25% of people do in fact keep a weapon in their home purely for peace of mind, and one in twenty said they would never use it.
An edgy 25% said they would go to grab it if they heard a noise in the house at night and 44% said if faced with an intruder they would use it.
As a safety precaution four in ten Brits sleep with their phone next to their bed and 41% make a point of leaving lights on when they go out.
13% would go as far as to leave a radio or television on to give the impression the house is occupied.
One in twenty of the respondents polled said they feel anxious in their house because they had previously been burgled, but 13% of burglary victims brushed it off as ‘just one of those things’
A vengeful 8% said they had wished they had caught the thieves in the act.
Despite a third of Brits having a security alarm installed, 28% never actually set it, while 13% said they only bother activating the alarm if they go on holiday.
One in twenty don’t set it because they can’t remember the code and 15% claim the pets and children always set it off so they don’t bother.
Less than a third of people said they investigate if they heard a neighbours alarm going off, although 61% said they would merely look out of the window.
Steve Chelton added:
“We would always encourage homeowners to invest in security devices like burglar alarms and security lights.”
‘’Likewise if you do hear your neighbours alarm going off and you think a burglary could be in progress then call the police immediately.
TOP TEN HOUSEHOLD ‘WEAPONS ‘
- Baseball bat
- Heavy torch
- Walking stick
- Golf club
- Kitchen knife
- Umbrella
- Air rifle / air gun
- Cricket bat
- Crow bar
- Hockey stick
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