Spiky railings 'can deter burglars'

27/10/2009

As nights become darker following the clocks turning back last weekend, homeowners have been offered some tips on keeping their properties secure - including investing in railings to keep out thieves.

In July, the British Crime Survey revealed that domestic burglary has risen for the first time in six years, something that Halifax Home Insurance's own data backs up, with more than 8,000 burglary claims handled last year.

The top three hotspots for burglary last year were London, Manchester and Leeds, according to the company's claims data.

Homeowners have been advised that preventative measures such as high walls, spiky railings and prickly bushes can help turn thieves away, along with burglar alarms and security lights.

The Herts Advertiser reported recently that people in St Albans are considering putting up railings around a 16th century monument which has become a target for thieves who are stealing building materials from the site.