Aviva is warning property owners of the importance of having the right insurance in place in the event of crime and malicious damage.

A new study by the Local Data Company shows that retail property vacancy rates across Britain rose 2% in the past six months of last year to 12%, with some towns reporting as many as 24% of its shops lying empty.

Allister Smith, property risk manager at Aviva, said: “With vacancy rates on the rise