Wealthy homeowners ramp up home security

25/11/2008

Wealthy homeowners are investing considerable sums in a bid to protect their property amid forecasts that burglaries will rise seven per cent in the coming year.

Such purchases could include wrought iron gates, security lighting, cameras and alarms.

According to the Wealth Bulletin, high fences and electric gates are also becoming increasingly popular, as are 24-hour guard patrols.

"While wealthy individuals don’t want a barbed wire fence around their house, they do use CCTV which they can access via the internet," commented Paul Van Geens, founder of developer Clifton Property.

Meanwhile, others are investing in steel blinds which are installed behind windows and doors and slide into a gap in the ceiling when not in use.

Celebrities have recently proven particularly popular targets, with Robbie Keane one of the latest victims in a string of break-ins at footballers' homes.

According to the BBC, the Liverpool striker's property was broken into in early September while he was on holiday.