In recent years, UK burglary rates have been a cause for concern, with certain areas experiencing higher-than-average rates of break-ins and burglaries. As homeowners, it’s crucial to recognise that our homes are not immune to these threats. Staying informed about burglary stats and taking proactive steps to protect our properties and loved ones should be a top priority.
Burglary Statistics UK: Understanding the numbers
When it comes to understanding the prevalence of burglary in the UK, we rely on trusted sources like UK Crime Stats, Police.uk, and the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). These official crime reports consistently show that burglary remains a significant issue nationwide, with the latest CSEW report revealing a staggering 186,174 residential burglaries in 2023 in England and Wales.
According to UK Crime stats, there were 35,644 burglaries in England and Wales in the first two months of 2024 alone!
Autumn spike in residential burglaries
Security experts at AAI Security also warn of a potential rise in burglaries during autumn. With shorter daylight hours and people spending more time indoors, this period can be attractive to opportunistic criminals.
Breaking and entering UK: How do the burglars gain access?
Here’s a breakdown of common entry points based on the 2022/2023 burglary report by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW).
Residential burglaries entry points in 2022/2023
- Door 73%
- Forced lock 33%
- Window 19%
- Door was not locked 10%
Other home burglary statistics UK in 2022/2023
Other interesting statistics in the CSEW report show that 62 % of burglars enter through the front, 26 % through the back, and 10% target the side of the properties.
What’s more, the report shows that:
- 7% of the burglars had a key
- 7% pushed past the person who opened the door
- 6% used false pretences to gain entry.
As reported, the front door is the prime target, whether locked or left unlocked, even more so when there are no visible deterrents such as security cameras. Although the report shows that the back and side of your property don’t get as much attention as your front, they are still a common target for many wrongdoers. Don’t neglect your back doors, garages, sheds, and pet doors.
What time do most break-ins occur UK?
Here’s a breakdown of the times of the day when most burglaries happened in 2022/2023 (in percentages):
- Morning (6 am to noon) 7%
- Afternoon (noon to 6 pm) 19%
- Evening (6 pm to midnight) 32%
- Night (midnight to 6 am) 28%
How do I check the rate of burglary in my area?
Here’s where things get personal. While national statistics offer helpful, vital insight, it’s crucial to understand burglary rates in your specific area.
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to protecting your home. You might be asking yourself: How many burglaries have happened in my area? How do I find this out? You can now pinpoint the specific burglary trends in your area through websites like Police.uk. The website offers interactive burglary crime maps, allowing you to search for crime data based on your postcode. Search in ‘What’s happening in my area?’ on Police.uk for your area to see if your neighbourhood falls within the burglary hotspots postcodes.
10 counties with the highest number of burglaries in the UK
While burglary rates can fluctuate across the UK, some regions consistently experience higher numbers.
*The data is for the areas with the most burglaries in the UK in the year ending March 2023
London 38,040 burglaries
West Midlands 14,874
Greater Manchester 12,844
West Yorkshire 10,917
South Yorkshire 8,616
Essex 5,401
Thames Valley 5,081
Lancashire 4,751
Hampshire 4,694
Northumbria 4,519
10 safest counties for burglary in the UK
*The data is for the areas with the fewest burglaries in the UK in the year ending March 2023
City of London 23 burglaries
Dyfed-Powys 813
Cumbria 831
Wiltshire 1,053
Suffolk 1,120
Norfolk 1,181
North Wales 1,247
North Yorkshire 1,410
Gwent 1,468
Warwickshire 1,514
How to reduce the risk of burglary?
By taking proactive steps to secure your home, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a burglary.
Here are 5 practical tips that have proven to be effective in reducing burglary risk:
- Stay informed. Check your postcode on Police.uk for the latest burglary stats in your area to know how and when to tailor your security measures.
- Fortify your entry points.
- Install a comprehensive security system.
- Enhance indoor and outdoor lighting.
- Create the illusion of occupancy with timers for lights and radios.
For more in-depth information, read our guides on how to protect your home if you’re a first-time buyer and a home security guide for the elderly (which is very useful for any age group), as well as our insightful piece on the uses of a wireless video doorbell you may not have thought about.