Burglary remains a significant concern for homeowners across England and Wales, with 245,284 incidents recorded in the year leading up to March 2025*. While many assume break-ins happen when nobody is home, the reality is more complex; a third of victims (33%) are at home during the burglary, but unaware of the crime occurring. 

This report reveals the most burgled areas of England and Wales between March 2024 and March 2025. Our experts have also highlighted the risk factors that make you more vulnerable to this type of crime, and how to protect yourself and your property. 

The best way to protect yourself from a residential break-in is with a home security system. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss the ideal setup for your needs. 

Changes from last year 

In 2024, we uncovered the most and least-affected areas of England and Wales for residential burglary. 

London was the most targeted area in 2024, with 56,263 burglaries. It retains the top spot this year, though the figure has fallen to 52,836. 

The most burgled areas in England and Wales 

1. London: 52,836 burglaries 

If you live in London, you could be at greater risk of burglary than anywhere else in England or Wales. In the year following March 2024, the capital city saw 52,836 reported break-ins: more than any other region. While this marks a 6.1% drop compared to the previous year, the rate remains significant higher, highlighting the continued need for robust home security measures. 

2. West Midlands: 15,997 burglaries 

The West Midlands recorded 15,997 burglaries in the year leading up to March 2025, placing it amongst the regions with the highest incidences in England and Wales.  It also means that those living in Birmingham, Coventry and surrounding areas experienced nearly two burglaries every hour. 

2. West Yorkshire: 15,067 burglaries 

Shifting further North, West Yorkshire also has a relatively high burglary rate, recording just over 15,000 during the review period. This highlights how households across cities such as Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, as well as surrounding towns, continue to face a notable risk of break-ins. 

4. Greater Manchester: 13,847 burglaries 

Over in Greater Manchester, 13,847 burglaries were reported in the year leading up to March 2025, showing that the region remains a key area of concern for residential crime. From the city centre of Manchester to surrounding towns like Salford and Stockport, households experience a steady risk of break-ins. This works out to around one burglary every 90 minutes. 

The least burgled areas in England and Wales 

1. Cumbria: 1,065 burglaries 

Cumbria recorded the lowest number of burglaries in England and Wales, with just 1,065 incidents in the year leading up to March 2025. That works out at fewer than three per day, or roughly one every eight hours, reflecting the region’s lower population density and more rural landscape. 

2. Dyfed-Powys: 1,597 burglaries 

The Dyfed-Powys region saw 1,597 burglaries in the year to March 2025 - a 26% rise from the year before. Despite the increase, the area still records some of the lowest burglary levels in England and Wales, with its largely rural setting, smaller population, and dispersed communities contributing to the comparatively lower risk.  

3. Wiltshire: 1,627 burglaries 

Wiltshire also recorded relatively low burglary levels, with 1,627 incidents in total. This equates to about four to five burglaries per day, or one every five hours, indicating that rural and suburban communities in this county continue to see fewer residential break-ins. 

4. North Wales: 1,757 burglaries 

North Wales experienced 1,757 burglaries in the review period, averaging just under five a day. While this places it amongst the least affected areas nationally, it still means a household is targeted approximately once every five hours across the region. 

When do most burglaries occur? 

Although burglaries can happen in any place and at any time, the data reveals clear trends in when they are most likely to occur. Around one-third (33%) of break-ins take place at night, when households may be asleep or properties are typically in darkness. 

The majority of burglaries are carried out during the working week, with 69% of incidents recorded between Monday and Friday. This suggests offenders often look to exploit predictable daily routines, such as people going out to work, children being at school, and homes generally being left unattended. 

These findings underline how burglaries are closely tied to lifestyle patterns. Taking simple measures like using smart plugs, setting timers for lights, and avoiding signs of absence during the week can significantly reduce exposure to these risks. 

Are you likely to be burgled by someone you know? 

When most people think of burglaries, they imagine a complete stranger breaking in. In reality, a surprisingly large number involve someone the household knows. More than a quarter (28%) of home break-ins are committed by someone the residents know well, while another one in six (16%) involve someone they’ve seen or spoken to before. 

In other words, more than two in five (44%) burglaries are carried out by someone familiar, showing that the risk isn’t limited to unknown intruders. 

How do burglars enter your home? 

In most burglary cases, the burglar has been shown to target the front of a home, with over two-thirds (67%) of break-ins using the front door. The back door is the next most common point of entry, accounting for just over a quarter of burglaries (26%), while the side of a property is rarely used (6%). This shows that burglars often go for the most obvious and accessible points, rather than seeking more covert entry points. 

As for the means by which they get in, doors are typically the main focus and are involved in 77% of cases. Many burglars exploit simple weaknesses: 27% force locks, and 21% take advantage of doors that aren’t locked at all. Some use deception, such as tricking someone to open the door (8%) or entering under false pretences (5%), whilst a smaller proportion gain entry by more aggressive means, like kicking, smashing, or ramming doors (2%), or breaking panels (7%). And in some cases (4%), the burglar may even have a key. 

Damage caused by burglaries 

In terms of damage caused by burglaries, in most cases (66%) homeowners reported damage to an outside door, with some being broken entirely. More than two in five (42%) people also experienced damage to a lock, whilst 13% were left with a broken window, and 11% had damaged furniture or furnishings. 

How to protect your home from burglary 

1. Install a smart home security system 

Monitored smart home security systems are one of the best ways to protect your home. These include a range of camera devices designed to protect you, your loved ones and your property. Monitored home security systems, like ADT Smart Home, also ensure that when you’re away, a dedicated alarm receiving centre is on hand 24/7 to monitor your alarm and take action, such as notifying you, and potentially your keyholders and the police in the event of an alarm activation, giving you peace of mind. 

2. Install two locks 

You should always ensure your locks are working correctly, but with burglars employing new methods, including burning locks, it is essential to have two locks or a multi-point locking system on your doors. If a robber breaks your lock, the second lock provides additional protection. Ensure the locks you choose are high quality with a strong cylinder, like a diamond cylinder. 

3. Install a video doorbell and cameras 

Installing a video doorbell and cameras is one of the best defences against opportunistic burglary. With 24/7 motion detection and automatic recording, video doorbells and cameras can deter criminals while providing video evidence of any attempted home break-in. Most video doorbells, like the ADT Wireless Video Doorbell, send notifications to your smartphone so you can monitor your home even when you’re away. ADT’s outdoor camera also comes complete with Perimeter Guard, emitting a deterrent noise when motion is detected. 

4. Lock away valuables 

Most burglars target small valuables that are left in plain sight and difficult to trace. You should always hide items like your purse, wallet, and jewellery at night and when you leave your house. The best way to secure your valuables is to lock them in a safe that is bolted down and cannot be removed from your home. Without a safe, it is best to disperse your high-value items around the house rather than pool them all together for an easy grab. 

5. Take care when posting online 

Whilst strangers commit most burglaries, you may be targeted by someone you know, as shown above. Posting on social media about your holiday can show people that your home is unattended, and therefore vulnerable to burglaries. You should be careful when sharing your location on social media to avoid being an easy target and always ensure that you have your privacy settings on platforms such as Facebook set to private. 

For more tips and advice on how to protect your home from burglars, check out our extensive range of home security guides. 

Methodology 

*Data is sourced from the Office for National Statistics - Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area data tables (Year ending March 2025)