Whether you have lived in the same place for a number of years and intend to stay put, or are looking to up sticks to somewhere new it is always a good idea to get informed about the area in question. Making yourself aware of the crime rates could determine future decisions or simply give you a realistic view of certain areas, as the saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ doesn’t always apply.
Throughout England and Wales crime rates are decreasing year on year and recent figures confirm that once again they have dropped. However, rates are still fairly high with up to 102 crimes per 1,000 of the population being committed in certain regions between 2012 and 2013.
A way of tackling levels of crime that has been rolled out since 1998 is the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, also known as ASBOs. Introduced by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the order can be given for a number of reasons including drunken or threatening behaviour or vandalism. The individuals are then stopped from doing certain activities such as going to a particular place and can even be stopped from spending time with people the court sees as trouble-makers.
Over 20,000 have been handed out since the law came into place but depending on the region these figures differ dramatically with 4,658 being handed out in the North West and only 827 in the North East.
A main concern when it comes to crime is the risk of being burgled. This can be a terrifying experience and one that can stay with you for a long time after the incident. There are various methods of entry which are used by intruders.
By checking and securing these, you could significantly lower the risk of anyone gaining access to your home and help to bring down the overall number of burglaries committed throughout England and Wales even further. Having seen a decrease of around 50% between 2003 and 2013 the rates seem to be slowing down. Therefore the more vigilant you are, the more beneficial it will be for both yourself and whatever area you live in.
Arson is another crime which is still setting dramatically high numbers throughout both England and Wales. With the North West and South East seeing the highest numbers, there are still major concerns when it comes to this area of crime.
However, crime prevention efforts by local police forces seem to be reducing rates. Minus a blip in 2005 when the number increased significantly, the overall rates have dramatically dropped by over 50% in the past 10 years.
There are a number of other causes of fire which do not relate to arson, many of which take place within homes around the country every day of the year. From cooking appliances to electrical distribution (ie. wiring, switches, fuse boxes etc.), these are all areas which can be monitored to reduce the amount of damage caused within your home.
Throughout Great Britain a large number of casualties have occurred due to fires within the home. Although this may not help you decide where to buy your next home, by knowing the common causes you could reduce your risk of injury.
If you are looking to buy a new property in any area of England or Wales, it is always beneficial to do your research first, especially if you are buying to let. Take out landlords insurance with us for great rates and comprehensive cover for when you might need it most. Our range of insurance options means that your policy will be tailored to your individual needs. Therefore, if anything happens whether it is with contents, accidental damage or the building itself then you could be covered. Call us today on 0844 888 0208 to find out what great deals we can offer.
Content provided by: http://www.cia-landlords.co.
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