Burglary summit to stem recession fears

Wednesday, 4 February 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

A burglary summit between the home secretary, police, insurance firms and DIY shops will take place today to protect the elderly against burglary.

The summit takes place as concerns about an increase in burglaries because of the recession occupy the time of charities and crime analysts.

Burglaries in England and Wales already began to rise at the tail end of 2008.

But home secretary Jacqui Smith said a rise in 'acquisitive crime' was not inevitable in the downturn.

"My argument is that has been the historic situation. I don't think there is anything inevitable about that happening this time," she told the BBC this morning.

"I think it's important that we act before there's a problem.

"I want to make sure that we're providing people with the best possible advice to protect their homes, that we're bringing together the partners that can help to keep burglary down."

The Home Office is introducing a three minute test on its website today so users can score how secure their home is.

Tags:
• crime
,
• domestic policy
,
• policing and crime