Homeowners can lower their home insurance premiums by installing industry-approved brands of security products such as locks and burglar alarms, a leading body has said.

Graeme Trudgill, technical services manager at the British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) says that these products have to be put in place by a professional before insurance companies will lower the premium they offer.

"If you go to your insurance broker they will tell you which alarms or mortise locks or window locks qualify you for discounts," Mr Trudgill explained.

"I'm certain that all of the insurers would insist that they're professionally installed – because there's no point in buying a great system then trying to [install] it yourself and it not working properly," he added.

The National Security Inspectorate claims that 20 per cent of UK burglaries are committed without the use of force, as a result of unlocked doors and windows.

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