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Stay Safe This Winter: The Cities Most Affected by Burglaries

16 October 2024

As winter approaches, burglary rates spike, with our research showing that Leeds tops the list of UK cities most affected. Read on to find out which areas are at risk and learn essential tips to protect your home during the vulnerable holiday season.

 

 

Home is a safe space where you can relax and make treasured memories. With winter fast approaching, cosying up in the comfort and safety of your home is something many of us will be looking forward to.

October is National Home Security Month, highlighting the importance of preventative measures—not only to protect physical possessions but also to provide peace of mind, ensuring that you feel safe and secure in your home.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), nearly 1 in 100 homes in the UK experienced a burglary last year. With the Christmas season approaching — when we have valuable gifts, decorations, and family gatherings - this is one of the most important times to prioritise home security.

Burglars tend to look forward to winter but for different reasons. Statistics show that up to 40% more burglaries occur in winter, as homes become more vulnerable on darker nights, making them a target for break-ins. Increasingly, however, burglars are targeting homes in the summer months, when families are on holiday and properties sit unoccupied.

But where in the UK are homes most affected?

To really dig deep into the current status of burglaries across the country, Eurocell has analysed police crime data across the most populated cities, looking at police constabulary burglary rates from July 2023 to July 2024 to reveal which locations are targeted the most.

 

The areas most affected by burglaries across the UK:  

City Population Residents Affected by Burglaries Highest Monthly Burglary Count Lowest Monthly Burglary Count
Leeds 455,123 1 in 63 667 (Jul 2024) 439 (Feb 2024)
Gateshead 77,649 1 in 78 111 (Aug 2023) 59 (Feb 2024)
Bradford 299,310 1 in 79 366 (Jan 2024) 242 (Sep 2023)
Middlesbrough 142,707 1 in 96 140 (Aug 2023) 97 (Feb 2024)
Birmingham 984,333 1 in 109 832 (Jan 2024) 589 (Mar 2024)
Newcastle upon Tyne 192,382 1 in 111 169 (Jul 2023) 95 (Nov 2023)
Kingston upon Hull 314,018 1 in 132 226 (Jul 2024) 145 (Feb 2024)
Coventry 359,262 1 in 144 232 (Nov 2023) 172 (Sep 2023)
Wolverhampton 252,791 1 in 154 163 (Oct 2023) 98 (Feb 2024)
Sheffield 685,368 1 in 154 393 (Jul 2023) 302 (Jun 2024)
Southampton 246,201 1 in 158 147 (Jul 2024) 90 (Apr 2024)
Stoke-on-Trent 372,775 1 in 174 247 (Apr 2024) 125 (Feb 2024)
Peterborough 163,379 1 in 176 101 (Jul 2023) 51 (Nov 2023)
York 153,717 1 in 184 115 (Oct 2023) 44 (Feb 2024)
Brighton and Hove 214,175 1 in 195 106 (Jul 2023) 53 (Feb 2024)
Milton Keynes 229,941 1 in 196 110 (Dec 2023) 68 (Jul 2023)
Derby 270,468 1 in 203 121 (Dec 2023) 85 (Nov 2023)
Oxford 171,380 1 in 205 82 (Apr 2024) 44 (Feb 2024)
Gloucester 150,053 1 in 208 83 (Oct 2023) 35 (Jun 2024)
Sunderland 335,415 1 in 212 172 (Jun 2024) 77 (Feb 2024)
Blackpool 239,409 1 in 218 98 (Apr 2024) 71 (Nov 2023)
Bristol 617,280 1 in 219 251 (Oct 2023) 180 (Feb 2024)
Leicester 508,916 1 in 245 199 (Jan 2024) 125 (May 2024)
Slough 163,777 1 in 248 66 (Dec 2023) 32 (Sep 2023)
Portsmouth 194,150 1 in 258 77 (Sep 2023) 47 (Jun 2024)
Cardiff 447,287 1 in 265 171 (Aug 2023) 88 (Feb 2024)
Luton 258,018 1 in 276 90 (Nov 2023) 54 (May 2024)
Eastbourne 118,219 1 in 283 56 (Jan 2024) 20 (Sep 2023)
Warrington 165,456 1 in 322 56 (Jan 2024) 28 (Dec 2023)
Liverpool 864,122 1 in 348 245 (Jul 2023) 147 (Apr 2024)
Swindon 185,609 1 in 352 48 (Apr 2024) 26 (Feb 2024)
Norwich 213,166 1 in 362 74 (Apr 2024) 26 (Feb 2024)
Swansea 246,217 1 in 374 67 (May 2024) 20 (Apr 2024)
Exeter 117,763 1 in 400 36 (Jan 2024) 10 (Aug 2023)
Reading 318,014 1 in 409 82 (Jan 2024) 43 (Dec 2023)
Ipswich 178,835 1 in 456 39 (Apr 2024) 17 (Jun 2024)
Nottingham 729,977 1 in 463 149 (Jul 2024) 75 (Feb 2024)
Plymouth 260,203 1 in 475 69 (Apr 2024) 14 (Sep 2023)

 

Leeds ranks first as the city with the highest burglary rate, with 1 in every 63 residents affected. The summer months saw the most crime, with a total of 1,743 burglaries reported from May to July 2024.

Neighbouring Newcastle, Gateshead ranks second on the list, with 1 in every 78 residents affected by burglaries. The town experiences a high number of burglaries in contrast to its relatively small population.

Nearby to Leeds, Bradford ranked in third place, with the city experiencing relatively consistent burglary activity throughout the year. Monthly burglary numbers hover between 240-340 incidents, with January 2024 seeing the highest increase.

Elsewhere, cities in the West Midlands, including Coventry, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, all make the list of the 10 worst affected cities. Out of the three, Birmingham experiences the most burglary activity when compared to its population size - with 1 in 109 people most likely to be burgled.

Sheffield closes out the top 10 but still has a significant rate of one burglary per 155 people on average.

Towards the lower end of the table, the data shows that Plymouth and Nottingham have fewer burglaries compared to the worst-affected cities like Leeds and Bradford. However, like the cities with higher burglary rates, Nottingham saw consistent burglaries throughout spring and summer.

 

When do most burglaries occur?

The data shows that January had the highest burglary rates across all cities in the past year, with Birmingham experiencing over 850 incidents within the month alone. The combination of darker evenings, new Christmas presents, and residents being away for the New Year may create an opportune time for burglars, with more empty households.

 

What can you do to prevent being burgled?

Being broken into is any resident's worst nightmare, so taking the necessary precautions to safeguard your home is essential.

Take some time to check your doors to see if they have high-security features. Most burglars tend to target the classic lock cylinder. However, with a composite door, a 3-star cylinder lock can protect your home from common break-in methods, such as lock picking and drilling.

One of the most common ways burglars gain entry is through unlocked windows. ADT reveals that over two-thirds of Brits leave their houses with windows open when leaving the house.

Ensuring your windows are shut before leaving is the first step to take. However, if you want that extra layer of protection, UPVC windows come with high-security locking handles that make opening and closing them more secure.

Keeping your home protected during the winter months requires a little diligence on your part, but it will give you peace of mind and keep your loved ones safe, no matter where you are.

Commenting on the research, Beth Boulton, marketing director at Eurocell:

“As the colder season approaches, it’s an exciting time to feel cosy and festive. However, with burglary rates peaking post-Christmas in January, it’s important to stay vigilant.

“The research shows that darker evenings can attract unwanted guests, so ensuring your doors and windows have a good level of security is crucial. Take the time to double-check all entry points before leaving the house, and consider upgrading to more secure locks to avoid potentially coming home to a scare.”

 

Methodology

Eurocell analysed the Police constabularies across the UK from July 2023 to July 2024 using official Police Data. This data was then compared against the most populated cities across the UK to reveal how many burglaries are taking place in relation to population size.

Data is correct as of October 2024.

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