Most of us would associate cities with high crime – but figures from one large rural insurer prove that countryside dwellers cannot be lax when it comes to home insurance and the security of their properties.

According to the insurer’s figures, there was a 14.7 per cent rise in the number of thefts from countryside properties in the UK during 2008. One of the trends that have prompted this increase is theft from domestic central heating oil tanks as oil price rises left many motorists and homeowners feeling the pinch.

The trend has continued into 2009 with the Freedom of Information Act revealing that almost two-thirds of police forces in England and Wales showed a rise in robberies over the past three months compared to the same period in the previous year.

As such, property owners are urged to examine their home insurance and ensure they have a suitable level of cover in place.

This means checking that they have enough cover for all of the items in their home – including their most recent additions. Homeowners should also check the extent of their garden cover and see exactly what it covers particularly if they have expensive tools, ornaments or plants.

From there, homeowners should look at adding to the security of their home with the bonus that this could earn them a discount on their home insurance too.

Thieves may move along and look for easier targets if homeowners fit gates, floodlights and CCTV cameras. Install an alarm accredited by UKAS and fit and use insurer-approved window and door locks. Security heavy-duty padlocks should also be fitted to outbuildings and garages.

Keep valuables out of sight and plant shrubs or install fences to hide domestic heating oil tanks.

Security lighting is also a good idea.