It’s official, London is where you’re most likely to experience burglary, with the latest figures from Moneysupermarket showing which parts of the UK record the most – and fewest – break-ins.
The vast majority – 16 out of 20 to be precise – of the worst areas for burglary in the UK are all in the capital city, with Redbridge at the top of the list.
The company has got its data based on the quotes it provides through its website, making it a sizeable data pool. According to its figures, there are 54.7 burglaries in Redbridge for every 1,000 quotes.
And although many of the worst places for burglaries are in London, Leeds and Manchester didn’t escape the list either. Two areas of Leeds featured in the top 20, and one in Manchester – Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Barlow Moor with the M21 postcode came in at number 15 on the list, with 40.5 burglaries recorded for every 1,000 quotes.
However, it wasn’t all bad news for Manchester, with the M1 postcode – covering Manchester city centre, recording zero claims for burglary.
Moneysupermarket also revealed that overall, the figures for burglary across the UK have decreased by eight per cent in the past 12 months, but that’s not to say homeowners should get complacent about home security.
Consumer affairs expert at the organisation Kevin Pratt explained there could be several explanation for the fall in burglaries, commenting: “That’s no doubt thanks to improvements in home security, although the falling cost of electrical items, such as TVs, might be significant as there’s less need for burglars to steal items than in the past.”
The website also offered some advice to homeowners who want to ramp up their home security, including investing in stronger locks, particularly on front doors and installing camera systems and automatic sensor lights to deter would-be thieves.
Replacing your doors that feature glazing can also be advisable, with the site recommending that any glass panes are at least 6.4mm thick and reinforced with security film or laminated. Installing new UPVC doors in Manchester could be a good idea if you live in an area that’s prone to burglary.
At the beginning of January, Dr Steffan George of the Master Locksmiths Association told the South Yorkshire times that this time of year is the perfect point at which to assess your home security – and make any necessary improvements.
He stressed that getting into good habits when you leave your home – such as double checking that you’ve locked and closed all your windows, and properly locked your doors – can make a difference.
Dr George also recommended staying on top of basic home maintenance tasks to ensure your property doesn’t look like it would be an easy target. He said particular attention should be paid to any damage to window frames and locks, as these are potential weak points that burglars could exploit.
Hiding a spare key outside your home is also something to be avoided. Even if you think you’ve been inventive, thieves will have experience of where to look. If you’re concerned about being locked out, investing in a wall-mounted key safe with a combination lock is a safer alternative.
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