Household Burglary in the UK – Facts and Figures

Burglaries are less common than most people think and violent attacks on people in their homes are extremely rare. This page is not intended to cause unnecessary worry, but rather to acquaint you with some of the key facts and figures on burglary that you may not have seen gathered into one place before.

How common is burglary?

• Every 37 seconds a home somewhere in Britain is burgled.
• Every year there are over 1 million burglaries and attempted burglaries.
• 20% of households experience more than one incident a year. 13% are burgled twice and 7% three or more times.
• Between 1981 and 1993 burglaries increased by 137%. There was a decline through the rest of the 1990’s but which has now leveled off and 2002 showed a 5% annual increase. Aggravated burglary (where the occupiers are home at the time) rose 14% in 2002

Which houses are targeted?

• In a road, the burglar will choose the property without visible signs of security, such as security lighting or alarm bell boxes, over those with such devices.
• Households are more than twice as likely to be burgled if they’ve been burgled in the previous four years.
• Most burglaries are not pre-planned, they’re committed by opportunist thieves who spot an open door, window, or valuables on display.
• British Crime Survey statistics show that security devices, in particular intruder alarms, “..are very effective in reducing the risk of burglary..”

Who are the burglars?

• 88% of burglars are males. 6% are committed by a male and a female together and 6% by a lone female.
• The most likely age is 16 to 24 with 16% being of school age.
• Recent changes in trends in domestic burglary and young male unemployment show striking similarities. The fact that drug possession offences rose 9% in 2002 must also be related, coupled with a 1% drop in the detection of drug trafficking.
• Only half of all burglars are strangers. The other half are known by the victim by sight or to speak to or is known well.

How do they get in?

• In 20% of burglaries they don’t even have to use force – they get in through an open window or unlocked door.
• 70% enter through a door, with almost all the rest through a window.
• A thief can get through any gap larger than a human head.

What happens in a burglary?

• In a quarter of burglaries someone is at home and aware of what is happening.
• In 20% of cases the victim sees the offender.
• In 27% of cases there are two offenders.
• Violence or threatening behavior is used in 10% of incidents.
• Victims are emotionally affected in over 80% of all burglaries. Types of response in order of those reported most are: anger, shock, fear, loss of confidence or feeling vulnerable, and difficulty sleeping.
• Property is stolen in 40% of incidents. The most popular being cash, jewellery, and DVD/video and stereo equipment. Theft of computer equipment is now twice as common as in 1995.
• Only half of victims had the stolen property insured.
• Clear-up rates for most property crimes are much lower than for crimes against the person with less than 15% of recorded domestic burglary offences detected in 1999/2000.
• In only 9% of cases where something has been stolen is property returned.

When do burglaries happen?

• Most take place after dark with more in the evening (32%), than during the night (23%).
• 20% take place in the afternoon, 10% in the morning/afternoon.
• 30% occur at the weekend.

What do I do if I’m burgled?

• Call the Police immediately. If you think the burglar(s) may be still inside your property, don’t go in but make the call on a mobile or from a neighbor’s home. The Police will make a much more rapid response if they're told the perpetrators are still on the property.
• Ask the Police if they want you to start making a list of missing items. BUT: resist the urge to tidy up any mess until after the Police have been and have carried out their work.
• The Police will take details of the crime and issue you with a crime number. You will need this number to make a claim on your home insurance.
• If any credit or debit cards or cheque books have been stolen contact the issuer as soon as possible (most have 24 hour services) to cancel them. Check to see if important documents such as your passport or driving license have been stolen and inform the relevant authorities.
• If you have an idea who did it and prefer to pass information to the Police anonymously, you can do so via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.