Press release -
Revellers put expensive gadgets at risk
- Over 16 million will be attending a UK festival or event this summer
- Tech-dependent festival goers will take an average £524 worth of gadgets
- One in four have lost possessions or been a victim of theft
As the festival and summer events season gets underway, research from Post Office has revealed that festival goers will pack their rucksacks with an average £524 worth of gadgets.
It is estimated over 16 million people will attend one of the UK’s festivals and concerts taking gadgets worth a collective total of £8.3billion. Those heading to festivals and summer events also expect to spend an average £214 per person on tickets, accommodation and food (up 14 per cent from 2011 - £187).
Of those attending, two-thirds (66 per cent) plan to take a digital camera, 10 per cent less than 2011, suggesting people are relying on their smartphones to capture those memorable moments. Over half (57 per cent) are planning to take a smartphone and more than one in five (23 per cent) will be packing an iPad, laptop or tablet device.
The research also reveals 26 per cent of people attending an outdoor event this summer have previously lost, or had items stolen at events. A risk-taking 37 per cent have stashed their valuables in the glove box of a car, potentially leaving valuables exposed to theft.
Post Office Head of Home Insurance, Paul Havenhand, said: “Many people now think the latest mod-cons are as essential as packing a tent, wellies and sleeping-bag; however, with the average haul valued at over £500, revellers need to ensure they stay alert and safeguard any gadgets.
“It is easy to forget about looking after your belongings while having a good time. Yet in the same way that a homeowner would not leave their front door open, those having fun at festivals this summer should be vigilant about the security of their possessions and make sure any valuable items are protected against loss, damage or theft. Some festival goers may also want to consider property marking valuables with a postcode, to make them less desirable to opportunistic thieves, or in the event they are stolen they can be tracked and returned.
Some image conscious festival attendees can’t be without their styling tools; five per cent plan to take along a cordless hairdryer or hair-straighteners. And it’s not just women (eight per cent) who are concerned with keeping up appearances; two per cent of men admit they won’t be leaving home without their hair-styling kits.
Post Office Home Insurance policies includes personal possessions cover of up to £1,500 as standard.
To find out more about Post Office Home Insurance visit www.postoffice.co.uk, call 0800 434 6731, or pop into your local branch.
ENDS
Table to show the percentage of people that plan to take different items to take to outdoor events this summer.
Top items taken to outdoor events |
Percentage of people |
Digital camera |
66% |
Sunglasses |
63% |
Credit card(s) |
50% |
Car keys |
49% |
Other smartphone |
32% |
Rucksack |
31% |
Other mobile phone |
26% |
iPhone |
25% |
Tent |
17% |
MP3 player/iPod |
15% |
Jewellery |
14% |
iPad/laptop |
13% |
Camcorder |
11% |
Tablet device |
10% |
Crockery |
9% |
Blackberry device |
8% |
Kindle |
7% |
Cordless hair straighteners/ hair dryer |
5% |
1 Populus of survey of 2052 adults between 15-16 May 2013 of which 661 plan to attend an outdoor event this summer
2 32 per cent of UK adults will attend a festival this summer. 32 per cent of 50,371,000 (UK adults 18+) = 16 million
3 16 million people will spend an average of £524 = 16 x £214 = £8.3840000
4 Populus survey of 2100 UK adults between 27-30 May 2011
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About the Post Office
The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
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