Burglary is the 5th most common type of crime in the UK, and it’s only getting more common as the cost of living crisis increases. As people get more desperate, more are turning to crime as a way to survive. But no one wants to be the victim of that crime, which is one of the reasons security systems have become an essential, not a luxury. And as burglary rates are on the rise, we wanted to take a look at the facts behind the crime, so you’re better prepared to prevent it.
Burglary In The UK
Before we go into some of the meatier facts about burglary, we wanted to give you an overview of the state of burglary in the UK at the moment. So here are a few scary statistics for you:
- A burglary is reported every 40 seconds in the UK. That’s 2,160 burglaries a day
- Three-quarters of burglars got in through an unlocked or open door
- 25% of burglary victims have been burgled more than once
- 56% of burglaries in the UK take place at night, with 44% during the day
- 57% of burglaries happen while an occupier is inside the house
- One-third of people in the UK with an alarm on their home aren’t using it
- 92% of all burglary cases reported to the police remain unsolved
If you want to go and make sure all of your doors are locked now, go ahead! We know that all sounds a little scary, and that’s because it is. Burglary is one of the most common crimes in the UK, and our police force is so woefully underfunded that their solve rate is just 8%. So the best way to protect yourself against burglary is to be proactive, not reactive.
Who Do Burglars Target?
It might surprise you to know that burglars don’t just wander around the streets until they find a house to break into. Instead, they scope out properties and occupants to find out which houses have the best stuff to steal and the least protection. This gives them the best chance of success.
In the UK, the most common victims of burglary are single parents living with their children in urban areas. These parents are preoccupied with their jobs, and they regularly leave the house to take their children to school. This means their homes are left empty, creating the perfect opportunity for a break-in.
The second most common target for burglars is the elderly. They tend to be seen as easy targets, unable to react quickly and sometimes burglars can even talk their way into the property without the need to break in at all. This is one of the reasons local authorities are urging the senior population of the UK to invest in high quality security systems.
What Do Burglars Steal The Most?
So, what is it that burglars are after? The single biggest win for a burglar is cash, because it isn’t traceable and can be spent very quickly. However, there are other things that are common targets for burglars, and you might be surprised by some of them. According to AA insurance, some of the most commonly stolen items include:
- Jewellery and watches
- Purses, wallets and money
- Computers & computer equipment
- Electrical goods & cameras
- Mobile phones
- Clothes
- Food, toiletries & cigarettes
- Documents
- House & car keys
- Vehicle parts
- Valuable household furniture
Who Are Burglars Anyway?
It probably won’t surprise you to know that 88% of burglars are male. A little sexist yes, but the research supports the idea that burglary tends to be a male-dominated ‘profession’. 6% of burglars are female, and the other 6% are ‘partner’ burglars – male and female working together.
Recent research has revealed another shocking fact about the identity of burglars in the UK – and it’s that around half of them are known to their victims. Because people are less vigilant around people they know, they take more risks, which leaves them open for exploitation. That same research found that burglars tend to be younger – between 16 and 24 – and many are doing it because they are drug addicts looking for ways to sustain their addiction by stealing and selling the goods.
How Much Does Burglary Cost Us?
The average burglary victim will have to spend around £2,833 to repair any damage and replace items that were stolen. Most often the damage is from broken windows or doorknobs that were used the enter the property. Replacing the items stolen can be far more costly, especially if you don’t have insurance to cover bigger bills.
At Securifix our job is to make sure burglars don’t even look at your house the wrong way. Our team can design a custom security system that fits your lifestyle and your house, so that you know you are protected 24/7, no matter what. To find out more, just get in touch with the team today to book your free consultation.
