We moan that the crime rate has shot up in the UK and many people say that certain areas are not safe to walk at night, and yet when we compare the crime rate and safety here with other countries we realise that, in fact, in most parts of the country, we have it pretty good after all.
In some areas of the world, people have to take their household security far more seriously as it can mean a matter of life or death.
In many parts of South Africa, every house is surrounded by an Electric Pulse Fence and the householders have a direct connection or buzzer to the police or private security firm, which can reach them in minutes in case of a break in.
Even in the south of France, many of the houses and apartments are within gated compounds with high levels of security. As one estate agent privately told me – it is not a question of if you get broken into but when in some of the more expensive areas.
Compared to many countries, we have it good. Agreed, we can no longer leave our houses open when we leave the house and we have to lock our cars even during the day now, but we are still pretty well off compared to many countries.
