Older people have been given DIY advice on how they can reduce the chances of being a victim of burglary.
Pointing to research revealing 23 per cent of over-50s are more worried about their home being broken into than they were a year ago, RIAS advises that ground-floor windows are fitted with key-operated window locks.
In addition, the firm recommends that a home’s main entrance and exit doors should either be fitted with a mortice deadlock with a minimum of five levers or have a three-point multi locking system installed.
"Ensuring consumers take basic precautions to protect their homes is more important than ever against the backdrop of these burglary statistics," Janet Connor, managing director of RIAS, states.
The study also reveals that Manchester is the UK’s burglary hotspot, with a total of 7,167 taking place over the course of last year.
Recent DIY advice from Halifax Home Insurance saw people advised to fit a burglar alarm in a prominent place.