According to new research by insurance company Zurich, many of Britain’s single property hunters are being forced to buy homes in undesirable locations because they can’t afford the prices in safer areas.

The research shows that 64% of the country’s ‘singletons’ have safety worries about the area they bought their home in, with nearly one in ten (9%) describing it as crime-ridden. Many new homeowners (39%) had little choice though, as their selection of location was limited by their restricted budget.

Commenting on the research, Phil Ost, head of communications at Zurich, said:

“It’s worrying that so many single people feel vulnerable in their own home and community. Although there is little you can do to 100% guarantee your safety, there are certain measures that you can put in place to reduce the chance of being a victim of crime.”

“Before buying a property we recommend that people visit the area at night and talk to neighbours and shop owners – locals are often the best people to approach for a realistic view of the neighbourhood.”

“It’s important to remember that whilst insurance can replace belongings covered by your policy, there is no replacement for the inconvenience or emotional distress caused”

Security concerns:

• 30% of singletons feel unsafe at night walking home in their local neighbourhood.
• 15% dislike waiting for public transport.
• 7% feel anxious about sleeping home alone.
• Despite male bravado, single men feel just as vulnerable as women, with 15% uneasy about walking home in the evening and more than one in ten uncomfortable about waiting for buses and trains.