[May 27, 2006]

Wealthy pay for their safety

(The Birmingham Post Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Britain's wealthiest millionaires are spending up to pounds 5 billion to protect themselves, their families and their fortunes.

Research from home insurer Zurich, shows the vast majority (91 per cent) of liquid asset millionaires have invested up to pounds 30,000 on security, with a fifth (21 per cent) worried that they are being specifically targeted by criminals because of their assets.

More than a third (38 per cent) of affluent addresses have been broken into, with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne being notable victims last year. And nearly a fifth (19 per cent) have suffered at the hands of car thieves.

However, it is also anxiety towards "modern crimes" that is leading to the nation's rich re-enforcing their security -with more than a half (58 per cent) fearful they could be victims of muggers' 54 per cent worry their identity may be stolen, and just under half (40 per cent) anxious about being car-jacked.

While recent crime statistics show that serious crime has fallen in recent years, this hasn't calmed the nerves of the nation's elite. The perception among nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of millionaires is that the number of muggings and kidnappings has increased over the last ten years.

It is perhaps an increase in high-profile stalking cases that has resulted in just under a third (30 per cent) worrying about being stalked. Whilst, another 30 per cent are concerned they may be held to ransom, and 29 per cent are fearful that they or their family may be victims of organised criminal gangs.

Kris Coombes of Zurich Private Clients said: "As specialist insurers of historic houses, fine art collections and jewellery, we strongly recommend that those who feel more at risk of crime due to their wealth, check that they have sufficient quality risk prevention measures in place. This should start with a personal visit from a respected insurer to provide risk management advice."

Zurich advises that there are five steps that the wealthy can do to minimise their security risk:

1. Buy a domestic shredder. There has been a huge rise in identity crime and fraud in recent years. Ensure that all your personal documents, bills, account details etc are either securely stored at home or shredded once you have finished with them. Burglars will now actively look for this kind of documentation.

2. Make sure your intruder alarm is linked to an alarm receiving centre. The police will not respond to a burglar alarm going off unless it has been confirmed. If you only have an audible alarm system, you are relying solely on your neighbours or members of the public to alert the police if you are away on holiday at the time.

3. Buy a personal attack alarm. These are small hand held devices which when activated emit a high-pitched noise to draw attention to you and a potential attacker.

4. Check your perimeter security. Ensure that garden gates are secured with deadlocks and padlocks, fit movement sensitive security lighting and make sure that CCTV cameras are digitally recorded.

5.Hide car keys at night. A growing number of vehicle thefts in the UK involve car key theft from the home. Try not to leave car keys near to the front door at night and if you do ensure that your letterbox has a letterbox guard fitted to prevent car keys from being easily dragged through the letterbox.

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