SCANDAL OF THE MIDDLE-AGED VANDALS

• 2.5 million Brits admit to acts of vandalism in last five years
• Age no barrier: ASDOs (Ageing Social Delinquent Offenders) identified
• Nearly one million have lashed out at office equipment

Research released today by Direct Line shows that 2.5 million people in Britain (5 per cent)* have deliberately caused damage to somebody else’s property within the last five years.

Brits’ top five acts of vandalism

• Drawing on property with a pen (e.g. on a desk or wall)
• Interfering with traffic cones and road signs
• Smashing windows of a car or building
• Damage to a neighbour’s garden
• Throwing eggs at a car or building

Vandalism is now so rife that it’s not just teenage tearaways who are causing havoc on the streets of Britain – a new breed of ageing social delinquents offenders (ASDOs) are also getting in on the act. More than a quarter of a million** over 55 year olds have committed an act of vandalism within the past five years.

Thirty seven per cent of ‘ASDOs’ admit to vandalising public property, whilst a further 11% per cent have inflicted their wrath on friends, family members and neighbours by damaging their property.

For people aged between 35 and 44 years old who have committed an act of vandalism, ten per cent admit to damaging property because of being angry with the owner. A further seven per cent of 35-44 year olds have vandalised a car by slashing its tyres or breaking something off of it, such as a wing mirror.

Nearly a million short-fused adults have deliberately broken office equipment***.

Cause
It seems very few of the acts of vandalism are pre-meditated, with 63 per cent of all people who have committed an act of vandalism saying it was a spur of the moment thing. Furthermore, twenty one per cent of the all acts of vandalism were committed out of pure boredom.

Thirteen per cent of men admit to interfering with road signs and traffic cones, and eight per cent have smashed a window. Perhaps sinking a few too many pints is the reason behind this childish behaviour as twenty per cent of men blame being drunk for triggering their inner vandal, compared to just nine per cent of women.

Women are less upfront about their misconduct, with 27 per cent stating that they didn’t realise their actions could be considered as vandalism, compared to 19 per cent of men.

Psychotherapist Christine Webber says: ‘This survey is quite alarming. It suggests levels of stress are getting quite out of control. And what on earth has happened to the British stiff upper lip? I know life can feel uncertain, irritating and difficult but if people are seriously stressed, they should take steps to reduce this in a responsible way - a good old chinwag on the phone to a friend can work wonders.

“We should never forget that out-of-control rage could possibly end up in a criminal conviction. That would prove a lot more stressful than taking a decision to tackle stress levels before we lose our rag. When we resort to vandalism we totally lose any moral high-ground we might have had.”

Matt Owen, spokesperson for Direct Line, comments: “Our research shows it’s not only teenagers who are vandalising cars and public property, but the over 35s who are also causing havoc and adding to the problem. Much of this deliberate damage might only be minor, but this behaviour sets the tone for young people that vandalism is acceptable, and it’s therefore no surprise that vandalism is on the increase.”

Direct Line’s comprehensive car insurance policy will preserve claimants’ No Claims Discount if they are victims of car vandalism. It covers against common damage such as the car being keyed and smashed windows and more substantial crimes such as slashed tyres and car graffiti. Incidents need to be reported to the police and assigned a crime reference number. Claimants will need to have comprehensive insurance and will need to pay the excess and any damage being claimed for cannot have been caused by another vehicle. Direct Line are unable to cover against deliberate damage caused by anyone named on the car insurance policy.

                                                        - Ends -

For more information, please contact:
RBS Insurance Press Office
Tel: 0208 285 3277

Notes to Editors:
* The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line motor insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 4,042 GB adults were questioned online between 13th and 17th December 2007. Results are weighted to be representative of the GB adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council. 5.21% of 48 million adults = 2,502,720

** There are 16,414,782 people aged 55 years and over, according to estimated ONS 2006 statistics. 1.65% of 16,414,782 = 270,843

*** 2% of 48 million adults = 960,000

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