Just one third of Brits lock away valuable documents including passports and birth certificates despite the rising problem of identity theft, according to identity theft prevention firm CPP.

Research from CPP found that many people in the UK have a false sense of security, with 92% believing their home is safe from burglary, despite 15% having been burgled in the past. Only 25% of Brits would immediately notice if their passport went missing while 20% would notice a missing birth cert.

The average cost of the crime per identity is now £8,000, driven by multiple lines of credit being taken out, according to CPP. Danny Harrison, identity theft expert at CPP, said: “Don’t leave personal information lying around the house. We have had cases of ID theft where friends, neighbours and even family have stolen personal documents and taken out big loans, mail order and credit cards.”