Halloween warning

Protecting your property The following advice has been received from Bluefin Insurance.

Halloween and Bonfire Night usually spark a rise in deliberate criminal damage and break-ins, according to statistics published by AXA Home Insurance in 2010 and Aviva this year.

The average claim for damage to property in 2010 for both Halloween and Bonfire Night was around £700. Damage to doors including glass breakage and damage caused by attempted forced entry, collapsed walls, fence panels torn down to make fuel for bonfires and fireworks being pushed through letterboxes caused considerable damage.

Many councils and local police stations have printable posters for homeowners to download on their websites (see below). However, if you do receive a knock on the door by a trick or treater always remain friendly and remember if you see anything suspicious don't leave it to chance, call the police.

According to Aviva, Bonfire night is the worst day of the year for burglaries with 25% more occurring than for a normal day of the year.  With the well documented price increases in gold and jewellery it will come as no surprise that precious metal is more desirable than ever for thieves.  Aviva claims that there is a 33% rise in claims for these items compared to a September / October average.

#Police posters 
Cheshire Police have produced posters which can be put in your window to say "yes" or "no" to trick-or-treaters

http://www.audlem.org/dwn/spe/ws3/audlemonline17-902-d.pdf will download the "NO" poster

http://www.audlem.org/dwn/spe/ws3/audlemonline16-902-d.pdf will download the "YES" poster

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