An insurer is warning residents of apartment blocks and gated communities to be aware of tailgate burglars, who follow them through secured doors and gates.
Swinton Insurance issued the warning after a recent survey of 1,200 online customers suggested that 21 per cent had let strangers into their apartment building without checking if they were residents. The home insurer warns that opportunistic thieves can follow residents through secure doors and gates giving them access to weaker internal doors that can be easily kicked down.
The company is offering the following advice to residents living in apartment blocks and gated communities:
* Always securely lock any outer doors as you enter and leave the premises
* Never hold a door or gate to your building open to a stranger
* Do not ‘buzz’ someone in unless you know them
* Always keep your internal door locked, even when inside your home
* Anyone could be a burglar, so always be vigilant
* If you see anyone acting suspiciously, call the police
Steve Chelton, Insurance Development Manager at Swinton said, "Tailgate burglary is a serious issue, residents need to be vigilant about who they let in and out of their apartment building. Residents should also ensure they have adequate contents insurance in the unfortunate event that they are a victim of burglary."
