Revealed: The UK's burglary claims hotspots

The UK areas most prone to burglary insurance claims have been revealed, according to new research.

Guildford is the UK’s top burglary claims hotspot, according to MoneySuperMarket’s annual Burglary Claims Tracker, which analysed over two million home insurance quotes run on its website over the last two years.

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The Surrey town, which didn’t feature at all in the top 20 last year, has risen to the top of the rankings with a rate of 52.31 claims per 1,000 quotes.

In second place is Cambridge, rising sharply from last year’s 12th place with a rate of 51.43 claims per 1,000 quotes.

While London dominated 16 of the top 20 spots in last year’s list, other cities have overtaken the capital this year with Manchester (M21), Leeds (LS5), and Birmingham (B15) sitting third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Liverpool (L16) is a new entry on this year’s list at number six, with 50.15 claims per 1,000, while Edinburgh (EH5) is the first Scottish location on the list at 13th place, with a rate of 42.11 claims per 1000.

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Residents of the London borough of Redbridge (IG4) – number one spot in 2017 list – will be pleased to see it has fallen out of this year’s top 20, while affluent Greater London areas including Teddington (TW11), Richmond (SW14) and Twickenham (TW12) are all new entries in the top 20.

Lowest rates of burglary claims

Of the postcodes with at least one claim for theft, Bideford in North Devon (EX39) has the lowest rate with 0.78 claims per 1,000 quotes.

Other areas successfully keeping burglars at bay include the Murton area in County Durham (SR7) with a rate of just 1.09 per 1,000, and Tiverton (EX16) – the second area in Devon to feature in the lowest five. There are also 101 postal districts with no recorded claims.

Seasonal shifts

The MoneySuperMarket data reveals that the value of claims submitted in winter are on average 37 per cent higher than those submitted in summer – most likely because of the presence of high-value Christmas presents in the home.

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The value of insurance for laptops, jewellery, watches and bicycles continues to rise. The average collective value of itemised possessions (items listed on contents policies because of their high value, typically £1,500 or more) was £4,400, which is 10 per cent more than in 2016.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “This year’s claims analysis suggests burglaries fall into two main categories: crimes committed in wealthy suburbs, where thieves expect rich pickings and a degree of seclusion, and busy urban areas, where strangers attract little attention and burglars hope to make speedy getaways.

“We should bear in mind that many criminals are opportunists - if they see a soft target, they will pounce. That makes it crucial for everyone, regardless of where they live, to be vigilant and to take the necessary steps to keep burglars at bay.”

Households can check how their area compares to neighbouring postal districts and other locations in the UK at MoneySuperMarket’s interactive burglary claims tool, which displays the rate of burglary claims made in every postal area in the UK. Visitors can also access information on how to improve their home security and reduce the likelihood of burglary.