Nearly 8 out of 10 thieves see the Christmas period as the perfect opportunity for home theft, according to research from home insurance company Zurich.

The research also showed that thieves can make a lot of money from selling on stolen goods, with 84% of former thieves saying stolen Christmas goods are easy to pass on because they’re new, while a further 82% claimed that mint condition goods are often sold on to new people the very same day. And 84% of former thieves said householders make it easy for burglars to get into their homes, with 93% saying that expensive items are left in plain view, making them more easy to target. Cash, credit cards and laptops topped the wish lists of 90% of former thieves, with laptops and digital cameras coming second and third.

Mark Searles, managing director, tetail at Zurich, said: “For some thieves, the festive season is like a gift on a platter. They’ve told us how Christmas and the New Year are key times for them to make the most of everyone else’s generosity, but many people just don’t think of the risk. We’ve set up a website with simple tips and advice on how to protect themselves this Christmas.”

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