The latest analysis of crime data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has identified West Yorkshire as the burglary hotspot of England and Wales, with approximately one out of every 94 homes falling victim to burglary within the region. Following closely behind are Cleveland with 10.4 incidents per 1,000 households and South Yorkshire with 10.1 incidents.
The Metropolitan Police, which covers Greater London, reported the highest number of burglaries at 32,610 cases. Despite this, the burglary rate of 9.5 incidents per 1,000 households placed it in fourth position. West Midlands secured the fifth spot with 9.1 burglaries per 1,000 households. These findings were revealed in a study conducted by SJL Insurance Services.
On a national scale, there were 154,161 recorded residential burglaries in England and Wales in the 12 months leading up to December 2025, indicating a 12% decrease from the previous year. However, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates the actual total to be around 327,000, capturing unreported crimes.
Craig Morgan, an insurance expert at SJL, expressed concern over the high burglary rates in West Yorkshire, Cleveland, and South Yorkshire, emphasizing that residents in these areas face a significant risk of break-ins. He highlighted the importance of adequate insurance coverage and understanding policy requirements to mitigate potential losses.
Burglars tend to target homes during the early morning hours when neighborhoods are quiet and residents are less likely to notice suspicious activities. It is crucial to also secure your home during the daytime, especially when you are away. Matthew Harwood, a home insurance expert from Confused.com, shared seven essential safety checks to perform before leaving your house to enhance security measures.