The figures come as burglary remains a common experience for many households across the country. One in five UK adults have expressed experiencing either a burglary or attempted burglary. Because of this, the UK’s Labour Party remains under pressure to crack down on theft, particularly during the holiday season.
"It is hugely important to ensure your home is as safe as possible all year round, but particularly in the winter when days are darker for longer,” Matthew Harwood, home insurance expert at Confused.com told the outlet. “Simple steps like motion-activated lights, smart doorbells or upgrading locks can make a huge difference. This will help deter opportunist thieves who might take advantage of shorter days and darker evenings as a chance to break into a home.”
Survey data cited in the report shows more than half of 2,000 UK homeowners surveyed between July 25 and July 30 said they rely on outdoor lighting as their primary form of security, while just over a third reported having alarm systems installed. Cash and wallets were the most commonly stolen items, followed by jewelry and bicycles.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this year an interactive map of 36,000 neighborhoods that identified burglary hotspots across England and Wales, with some of the worst-affected areas located in London’s Mayfair and Soho. The area around Regent Street recorded 282 break-ins. Separate figures from Policy Exchange found that London’s West End accounts for more knife crime than nearly 15 per cent of the rest of the capital combined.
Several high-profile burglaries have also drawn attention to the issue. Among recent victims were actress Michelle Keegan and her husband Mark Wright, who experienced a break-in at their £3.5 million home in Essex last year.
