Children's bikes, paddling pools and toys are tempting targets for unscrupulous thieves, Halifax Home Insurance has said.
Thieves stole over £300 million worth of toys and other goods from families with children under the age of five last year, according a new study from Halifax Home Insurance.
Deriving its research from home insurance claims received over the past 12 months, the provider said that over one quarter of these families have suffered from theft. Stolen bikes were found by Halifax to be the most popular items for thefts, making up 18 per cent of the total, while play equipment such as paddling pools and slides made up the second biggest claims group (16 per cent).
Halifax also said that the garden was the most popular location for the thefts, being the site of 38 per cent of the losses of goods. Elsewhere, ten per cent of cases occurred when parents went off on a meal out, while nine per cent took place on public transport.
David Rochester, head of underwriting at the home insurance provider, said: "It is shocking that we live in a society where thieves are even prepared to steal from children. Parents are often more concerned with negotiating public transport and crowded supermarkets when out in public than keeping a watchful eye for criminals."
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