New analysis of crime data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the burglary capital of England and Wales, with nearly one in every 94 homes targeted by thieves in the worst-affected area. West Yorkshire recorded 10.6 residential burglaries per 1,000 households in 2025, making it the top hotspot for home thefts.
Top 10 Burglary Hotspots in England and Wales
Cleveland was just behind with 10.4 burglaries per 1,000 households, followed by South Yorkshire at 10.1. The Metropolitan Police, covering Greater London, recorded the highest number of burglaries overall at 32,610, but its rate of 9.5 incidents per 1,000 households placed it fourth. The West Midlands completed the top five with 9.1 burglaries for every 1,000 households. The data was analysed by SJL Insurance Services.
The full top 10 list includes: West Yorkshire (10.6), Cleveland (10.4), South Yorkshire (10.1), Metropolitan Police (9.5), West Midlands (9.1), Humberside (8.2), Greater Manchester (7.4), Northumbria (7.0), Durham (6.9), and Leicestershire (6.5).
National Burglary Statistics
Nationally, police recorded 154,161 residential burglaries across England and Wales in the 12 months to December 2025, a 12% decrease from the previous year. However, the Crime Survey for England and Wales, which captures crimes not reported to police, estimates the true total to be around 327,000.
Craig Morgan, an insurance expert at SJL, said: "While the headline national figures show burglary is falling, that comfort disappears very quickly when you look at the data by area. In West Yorkshire, Cleveland and South Yorkshire, roughly one in every 95 to 99 homes was broken into last year. That is not a remote risk; it is a near-certainty over a few years of living in those areas."
Morgan added: "What concerns us most from an insurance perspective is that people in these hotspots often don't realise their exposure until it's too late. Whether it's underinsured contents, high-value items that aren't properly specified, or simply not knowing what their policy requires them to do, the break-in itself is often just the start of the problem."
How to Protect Your Home
Burglars are most likely to target homes during the early hours of the morning, when streets are quieter and residents are less likely to notice suspicious activity. However, it is also important to keep your home secure during the day, especially when you are out.
Matthew Harwood, a home insurance expert at Confused.com, has shared seven essential checks to make before leaving the house:
- Lock all doors, windows and side gates
- Hide cash, jewellery and wallets out of sight
- Leave lights on timers if you are out
- Ask someone to collect parcels or post
- Keep alarms and security cameras active
- Double-check sheds and garages
- Check your home security score
