The latest data analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has unveiled the region in England and Wales with the highest burglary rate, where nearly one out of every 94 homes falls victim to theft. In 2025, West Yorkshire reported 10.6 residential burglaries per 1,000 households, closely followed by Cleveland at 10.4 and South Yorkshire at 10.1.
The Metropolitan Police, covering Greater London, documented the most significant number of burglaries at 32,610. However, its rate of 9.5 incidents per 1,000 households positioned it in fourth place. West Midlands rounded out the top five with 9.1 burglaries per 1,000 households. The data analysis was conducted by SJL Insurance Services.
On a national scale, there were 154,161 recorded residential burglaries across England and Wales in the year leading up to December 2025, representing a 12% decrease compared to the previous year. 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 concerns about the regional disparities in burglary rates, emphasizing that despite the overall decline at the national level, certain areas face a significantly higher risk. Burglars tend to target homes during the early hours of the morning when there is less activity, but it is crucial to maintain home security throughout the day, particularly when away from home.
Matthew Harwood, a home insurance expert at Confused.com, shared seven essential security checks to perform before leaving the house. Keeping vigilant and taking preventive measures can help protect against potential break-ins.
