The latest analysis of crime data from the Office for National Statistics has unveiled the area in England and Wales with the highest burglary rates. According to the report, West Yorkshire experienced 10.6 residential burglaries per 1,000 households in 2025, making it the top target for thieves. Following closely behind were Cleveland with 10.4 incidents per 1,000 households and South Yorkshire with 10.1.
Despite recording the highest number of burglaries at 32,610, the Metropolitan Police in Greater London ranked fourth in burglary rates, with 9.5 incidents per 1,000 households. The study, conducted by SJL Insurance Services, also highlighted West Midlands as part of the top five areas with 9.1 burglaries for every 1,000 households.
In total, there were 154,161 residential burglaries reported by police across England and Wales in the 12 months leading up to December 2025, marking a 12% decrease from the previous year. However, the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated the actual number of burglaries to be around 327,000, capturing incidents not reported to the police.
Craig Morgan, an insurance expert at SJL, expressed concern about the high burglary rates in certain areas, emphasizing that residents often underestimate their vulnerability until it’s too late. Burglars tend to target homes during the early hours of the morning when streets are quiet and residents are less likely to detect suspicious activity. It is essential to ensure home security even during daytime hours, especially when the house is unoccupied.
To enhance home security, Matthew Harwood, a home insurance expert from Confused.com, shared seven important checks that homeowners should make before leaving the house. Stay informed with Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for convenient access to the news that matters to you.