Home burglary statistics

You can stay one step ahead of burglars by understanding what they're likely to target.

Knowing some of the statistics around home burglary can help you choose the right level of cover on your home insurance. Better still, we also have some advice how you can improve home security and protect your belongings from theft.

Commonly stolen items

From April 2019 to March 2020 there were almost 156,000 domestic burglaries according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Here are the 10 most common items stolen from our homes:*

1. Garden furniture 32%
2. Household items or furniture 11%
3. Clothes 9%
4. Wheelie bin or dustbin 7%
5. Purse, wallet, money or cards 6%
6. Food, toiletries or cigarettes 6%
7. Children’s toys or baby items 4%
8. Tools or work materials 4%
9. Vehicle or vehicle parts 3%
10. Jewellery or watches 2%

How to secure your home

Adding extra security or changing your home routine, such as moving keys or laptops out of sight, can help to put off thieves and give you peace of mind. Improving security can even reduce your home insurance premium.

These steps can help to keep your belongings safe:

• Fit British Standards Institution (BSI) approved locks on windows and doors.
• Install security alarms and lighting.
• Keep valuable items in a safe or out of sight.
• Use a timer to put lights on when you go out at night.
• Mark belongings with your postcode and house number.

What to do if you're burgled

If you have been burgled, there are few things to do before you can make a home insurance claim:

• Call the police immediately and ask for a crime reference number – you need this to make a claim.
• Download and complete your insurer's claim forms.
• Collect evidence of the stolen items (if you have any), such as receipts, invoices, bank and card statements, and photos.

For larger claims, some insurers may send a claims adjuster to assess:

• The extent of the damage caused (if any).
• The cost to repair any damage or replace it.

Are you covered?

It's best to be prepared in case the worst does happen, so check your levels of cover with our home insurance and see what's protected by our policies.

Calculating the total value of all your personal belongings and valuables can be tricky. Try our contents calculator and see just how much home insurance cover you need.

* Crime Survey for England and Wales: year ending March 2020

Author: The AA. Published 21 December 2016. Updated 8 September 2023.