Everyone has a personal crime risk which is based on several factors, but this risk can change depending on the time of year and seasonal crime trends. The core factors affecting crime risks are:
- Age
- Gender
- Property ownership
- Vehicle ownership
- Residential area
- Employment status
Younger people tend to be more prone to becoming the victims of crime due to socioeconomic factors – being out at night later for social and work purposes increases the chance of being attacked or mugged. This risk can increase in the winter as the hours of darkness are longer, so criminals have a much longer period of natural cover. Violent disorder tends to decrease with temperature, so while getting caught up in a fight, or attacked by someone who has been drinking, is less likely in the winter, women should be more cautious about walking alone at night.
Young people who live in rented accommodation (separate from their parents or other family) also have an increased risk of being burgled, especially if they are not careful about showing off their latest phone, bike or other electronics. Younger renters are less security conscious than older people, and more likely to live in places with lax security measures, like a house of multiple occupation (HMO), where not everyone will be good at closing windows and locking doors.
Older people are less likely to be the victims of violent crime and less likely to be burgled, unless they live in a wealthy area where homes contain valuables worth stealing. The risk can increase in more isolated areas and where homes are placed far apart, providing fewer chances for burglars to get spotted in the act – corner properties are less likely to be burgled than those in the middle of the street simply because of the increased traffic past the property.
Darkness provides cover for burglars as well as attackers, and rates of planned burglaries increase in the winter months due to this. The presence of gifts and high value food and drink items in homes during the holiday season provides another incentive for burglars. Wealthy areas may be particularly targeted for this reason, with rates levelling out across areas towards the end of winter.
Vehicle owners are more likely to have their car stolen in the winter, if they leave it running and unattended to defrost windows and heat the inside. Parking in dark or badly lit areas can increase the risk of items being stolen from the car, or of other drivers hitting your parked car in the dark.
Shop owners are more likely to experience shoplifting in the winter months, as the big holiday season puts pressure on people. Shoplifting rates always increase in the run up to Christmas, and they have been steadily climbing over the last 18 months – rates peaked in October with 469,788 offences recorded across England and Wales.
Your personal crime risk can increase in the winter relative to the crimes of burglary, car crime and shoplifting, but the main influencing factors for individuals are based on things that don’t change as rapidly as the temperature. Whether you’re looking to protect your car, your home or your business, P&R Alarms can provide the right advice and products for your personal circumstances and risk level.