4 in 10 use DIY security as crime fears fuel purchases of CCTV, alarms and dogs
Brits are turning to DIY security and getting dogs so they feel safer at home, a poll has revealed.
Four in 10 adults have installed CCTV, stronger locks, alarm systems or camera doorbells in the last year alone.
Some 6% of people have bought a dog in the past year to ward off criminals.
A staggering one in five adults avoided leaving the house in the dark because of fear of crime, the survey of 2,000 Brits for the Liberal Democrats found.
The most popular home security measure has been a doorbell with a camera, with almost one in five getting one installed.
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Some 7% of people have joined their local Neighbourhood Watch in the past year, while two in 6 have installed CCTV cameras and one in ten have fitted stronger door locks or a new alarm system.
The most popular home security measure has been a doorbell with a camera (Getty Images)More than 200,000 burglaries – and nearly 600 a day – went unsolved by police last year, according to Lib Dem analysis of Home Office figures.
It found 77% of all burglary cases closed by police forces in England and Wales went unsolved and just 6% of cases resulted in a suspect being charged.
The party is calling for a burglary response guarantee so that victims are visited by a police officer at the scene, as well as demanding a return to proper community policing.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “By leaving our streets unsafe, the Conservatives are creating padlock neighbourhoods where millions of residents are having to take security in their own hands.
“It is a scandal that millions of Brits are turning to DIY security because the Conservative Government has completely failed to tackle crime on our streets. It’s a scandal and they should be ashamed.
“People pay their fair share and at the very least expect proper community policing, where officers are visible on their streets. Instead, people have been left behind and taken for granted - leaving our neighbourhoods more unsafe."
A Conservative spokesman said: “If the Liberal Democrats truly cared about people feeling safe in their homes they would not have such a shameful record when it comes to standing up to dangerous and violent criminals.
“Time and time again the Liberal Democrats have voted against tougher sentences for the worst crimes and they want to go further to strip our police officers of the resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
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