While a lot of us do everything we can to prevent a break-in, like using CCTV, alarms and reinforced locks, burglaries can still happen. In the unfortunate case it does, it's best to have your valuables inaccessible and hard to spot to prevent them being taken.

In this guide we’ll take you through the most stolen items, as well as the best places to hide your valuables at home. If you’re worried about the crime rates in your town specifically, you can use our Crime in My Area tool to track crime rates and statistics local to you.

Why should I hide my valuables?

Burglary is often a crime of opportunity, which means intruders don’t always have the time or desire to search a house for valuable items to steal.  This means you can outsmart them by concealing your assets in less conspicuous locations.

The best places to hide valuables, depending on the size and kind of item, are ones that criminals wouldn't want to look through or bother with. These are often locations that are dirty, uninteresting, unpleasant, or difficult to search.

What items are most commonly stolen?

Burglars often enter a house with a goal of taking specific items, such as:

• Cash and wallets: these are easy wins which have instant value
• Jewellery/watches: again they’re high value, easily sold, and simple to get out of the house
• Electronics (phones, laptops, cameras, TVs etc.)
• Prescription drugs: these are probably something you haven’t thought about, but they can be sold unofficially for large profits
• Cars: we have a dedicated guide on preventing car theft. It’s a good idea to hide your keys even if you’re not at risk of keyless theft; once thieves are in your house and they have access to your keys, it’s very easy for them to drive away in the vehicle
• Tools: any equipment used for your job that’s stolen can make an already stressful situation worse if your income is compromised
• Documents: while the actual paper is unlikely to have value, these being stolen can put you at risk of identity theft or make selling things like your car easier

Where should I hide my valuables?

Home security can be overwhelming, which is why our experts have collated a list of the best places to store valuables at home.

Bookshelves and hollowed-out books

If you’re an avid reader, a bookshelf or home library is an ideal place to hide valuables. For smaller items like jewellery or medicine, hollowed out/false books are a way to keep your items safe in plain sight.

False containers

Burglary is an opportunistic crime, so a lot of the time intruders want to be in and out as quickly as possible. They won’t waste time going through mundane items like pet food, cereal containers or VHS/DVD cases (if you still have those around).

Plastic or foil-wrapped documents in the freezer

For important documents and paper currency, your freezer can be a surprisingly smart hiding spot. Burglars are unlikely to rummage through frozen food, especially if it’s well-packed and looks mundane. Wrap documents or money in waterproof plastic first (like a sandwich bag), then in foil to protect from moisture.

Just make sure that:

• Items are fully sealed and protected from frost and water
• Other members of the household know not to throw them away by accident

False bottoms in bins, drawers or plant pots

False bottoms are a classic concealment method because they’re simple and effective. You can create a second base layer by adding a hidden compartment under a removable inner tray. These work well because burglars don’t usually spend time emptying out containers or checking if the bottom is real, especially if everything looks normal at first glance.

False outlets, floorboards and wall panelling

For homeowners wanting to put in a bit more effort, hidden compartments in walls and floors can be very effective. These can include:

• Non-functional plug sockets that open to reveal a small cavity
• Lift-up floorboards with space underneath
• Removable wall panels or skirting boards with concealed storage behind

If you’re considering this option, it’s crucial that any changes are safe and don’t interfere with existing wiring, plumbing, or the structure of your home. These spaces are ideal for small, high-value items like jewellery or spare keys rather than everyday essentials you need frequent access to.

The loft or attic

Most burglars want to be in and out quickly, and the loft or attic is one of the least attractive areas for them to explore. Getting up there takes time, it’s noisy, and there’s an increased risk of getting trapped or injured.

For valuables you don’t need regular access to, make sure to avoid storage labels like “valuables” or “documents” and try to mix important items in with ordinary storage boxes.

False labelling on storage boxes

Burglars often do quick visual scans for anything that looks valuable, such as branded packaging or boxes labelled with words like “documents” or “electronics”. A simple but effective tactic is to mislabel your storage. For example: ‘christmas decorations’ or kids’ school projects’.

Store your valuables inside plain, slightly dusty-looking boxes that give the impression they haven’t been touched in years. This works especially well in lofts, garages, and cupboards under the stairs.

Children’s bedrooms

Children’s bedrooms are generally less attractive to burglars, as they’re often looking for adult valuables like jewellery, electronics and cash. This can make them a useful area to hide certain items, as long as it’s done safely. If you choose to store valuables here, keep in mind:

• Avoid anything dangerous or fragile that a child could access
• Use high, out-of-reach places or locked containers
• Don’t keep items in obvious toy boxes or piggy banks, as these can be tempting targets

This option is more suitable for small items rather than large sums of cash or sensitive documents.

Garages and old paint pots

Garages are often cluttered and full of tools, gardening equipment and DIY supplies, which makes them great for hiding things in plain sight. One clever option is to use clean, empty paint tins or other old containers.

So, where shouldn’t I hide my valuables?

While there are lots of smart hiding spots, there are some places burglars are very familiar with. Some examples of popular-but-bad hiding places include:

• Under the mattress
• In bedside drawers
• Inside obvious jewellery boxes
• In the top drawer of a desk or dresser
• In a kitchen “junk drawer”
• Inside original boxes for laptops, phones or consoles

These are usually the first places a burglar will check. It’s also important not to keep all your valuables in one place. Spreading them across a few well-chosen hiding spots reduces the risk of losing everything in one burglary.

Final tips for keeping valuables safe at home

To give yourself and your valuables the best possible protection:

• Layer your security: use alarms, CCTV and good locks as well as clever hiding places
• Keep an inventory: note down serial numbers, take photos, and keep digital copies of important documents
• Avoid oversharing online: don’t post about expensive purchases or holidays in real time

Conclusion

While no method is completely foolproof, making your valuables harder to find and less convenient to steal can significantly reduce the chances of losing what matters most.

We have a handy guide that can help you identity the signs of potential burglary and plan ahead of any budding criminals.