 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![This Is How To Protect Your Home From A Burglary ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/KwkLkNb-0wx1YP5HtDMLRwxSmkY=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F01%2Fburglary-trends.jpg?itok=NF8rPri3)

  

 

 



 

 

[Life](/life)

 /  18 January 2019  

#  This Is How To Protect Your Home From A Burglary  


In 2017, there were over 500,000 burglaries across the UK. And while losing things that you’ve worked hard to buy yourself is devastating, the impact of a burglary extends beyond the value of the items stolen – for many, the most traumatic element is not feeling secure in your own home. But what can people do to protect their homes, and how effective are these deterrents?  


[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/18478)

 

 



 

 

 

 

A combination of national crime figures collated over the past five years and home insurance claim data from MoneySuperMarket has revealed the top burglary trends in the UK, and the methods we most commonly adopt to protect our homes.

## **The Prime Time For Burglaries**

Crime rates for domestic burglary tend to remain relatively steady throughout the year, but there is a consistent peak from September to December when it’s darker earlier in the evenings. Around 60% of all burglaries occurred in the evenings and at night over the past five years, with the evening proving to be the most popular time of day to be burgled – 24% of burglaries happened at night, while 23% occurred in the afternoon, which just highlights the important of ensuring your home is protected at all times.

## **The Most Commonly Stolen Items**

It’s probably unsurprising to learn that the most common item stolen during a burglary is money. However, most people believe that computers and jewellery would be at the top of a burglar’s to-do list – these were actually the second and third most likely items, after money. The least likely to be taken were wheelie bins and garden furniture – although these do, of course, sometimes still get taken (for some odd reason).

## **The Emotional Impact**

Most people stated that they’d be most upset about losing personal documents such as passports or bank statements. Luckily these things aren’t that sought after – personal documents are only taken in around 7% of cases. The public also stated they would feel more upset about losing jewellery or their computer rather than family heirlooms or items of personal significance, but it’s understandable considering that, as we move to a more paperless society, most of our documents are stored on our computers.

## **How can we protect our homes?**

According to research, 74% of burglars enter through the door, yet two-thirds of Brits don’t bother to lock their doors and only one-third hide their valuables. Currently, the most popular home security method (employed by 42% of people) is double-locking their doors – however last year this was still the most common way for a burglar to enter a property.

 

 

 

 

## Related

 

  ![Bryony Deery’s Pregnancy Wellness Routine](https://media.sheerluxe.com/g46cIskkZ5JLE0gk6tOwxGUiP1U=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-041225-thumbhero-parenting-bryony-deery.jpg?itok=j2_jrUg1)

  

 

 



 

 [Lifestyle](/parenting/lifestyle)/

  04 December 2025  

 [##  Bryony Deery’s Pregnancy Wellness Routine  


 

 ](/life/parenting/bryony-deerys-pregnancy-wellness-routine) 

 

 

 

  ![What’s Inside A Foodie’s Online Christmas Shop](https://media.sheerluxe.com/nm7c2GAfZMX1dsoJ1Qe_I9HRj84=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-021225-thumb-hero-whats-in-my-christmas-food-shop.jpg?itok=it_E1jto)

  

 

 



 

[Food](/life/food)

/

  02 December 2025  

 [##  What’s Inside A Foodie’s Online Christmas Shop  


 

 ](/life/food/whats-inside-a-foodies-online-christmas-shop) 

 

 

 

  ![An M&S Flower Launch You Need To Know About](https://media.sheerluxe.com/2NSRu0nUR23wJF5QrfHyaSUv4Dg=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-com-ms-flowers.jpg?itok=2ocl1V2i)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  An M&amp;S Flower Launch You Need To Know About  


 

 ](/life/an-ms-flower-launch-you-need-to-know-about) 

 

 

 

  ![How A Nutritional Therapist Navigates The Festive Season](https://media.sheerluxe.com/JBvSh9NddJ7ogjNXXExnUs-GfBg=/600x800/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumbhero-lucy-miller-healthy-december-tips-1.jpg?itok=nd8yOTPO)

  

 

 



 

[Health &amp; Wellness](/life/health-wellness)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  How A Nutritional Therapist Navigates The Festive Season  


 

 ](/life/health-wellness/how-a-nutritional-therapist-navigates-the-festive-season) 

 

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

## [MoneySuperMarket](https://www.moneysupermarket.com/) recommend the following in order to safeguard your home:

**Close your windows:** It may seem obvious, but dark evenings provide an easy cover for burglars to sneak in if they spot valuables within an easy distance of your open window. Plus, as Tom Flack, MoneySuperMarket’s Editor-in-Chief, says: “Claiming on your home insurance if someone breaks in without forcing entry may be difficult, especially if there is no evidence of a crime being committed. To ensure you’re paid out in full, always check windows and doors are locked before you go out, whether you’re just popping to the shops or leaving for an entire evening.”  
  
**Keep keys safe:** Placing car and house keys on side tables near your front door makes it easy for thieves to fish them out through the letterbox, so keep these a safe distance away.  
  
**Cover keyholes with tape:** Burglars have been placing tape over door locks to see if the house is occupied in a recent spate of [robberies in Ireland](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7403172/why-people-put-sellotape-on-keyholes/), so remain vigilant and check your locks for any tampering  
  
**Keeping up appearances:** Making sure windows are not broken and all access points are sealed can increase security, plus storing any loose tools or ladders out of sight of [opportunist thieves](https://www.locksmiths.co.uk/faq/security-advice-for-your-home-top-13-tips/).  
  
**Light timers:** Using a timer that triggers a light when you’re out will allow it to look like someone’s at home even if the house is empty, discouraging burglars  
  
**Replace the locks:** Old locks may mean previous homeowners still have your keys. Replacing them can add an extra layer of security to the house, while updating older models with modern ones can strengthen security at the same time.  
  
*For out more information on the study at [MoneySuperMarket.com](https://www.moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/maximum-home-security/)*

 

 

 

 

  

## *more from*

### Life



 [View All Life](/life) 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  Your December Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-december-horoscope-4) 

 

 

 

  ![An M&S Flower Launch You Need To Know About](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0x2UNKOqVeLaNnbsnYB4FGLopc4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-com-ms-flowers.jpg?itok=0PDXFh1u)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  An M&amp;S Flower Launch You Need To Know About  


 

 ](/life/an-ms-flower-launch-you-need-to-know-about) 

 

 

 

  ![A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0ErUTwRTgfqEFcN4Xjkals2nUz0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-191125-thumb-hero-interview-nicole-lecky.jpg?itok=f4DBwY6c)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  19 November 2025  

 [##  A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress  


 

 ](/life/nicole-lecky) 

 

 

 

  ![Your November Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/uy2n-HAGa_bUbJRGeiDpHaRV9h4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fhorocopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=sweR5Gin)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  03 November 2025  

 [##  Your November Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-november-horoscope-3) 

 

 

 

  ![How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PAwYrWsfW8Pu6uAXfZwsg-EmIlI=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fpetare-portrait-hero-hr.jpg?itok=07Jvj0sj)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  22 October 2025  

 [##  How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives  


 

 ](/life/how-adopting-a-pet-can-change-2-lives) 

 

 

 

  ![Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch](https://media.sheerluxe.com/M0hy53QXhuiSDVlmKgbdfpnPdak=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-151025-sukkot-lunch-thumb.jpg?itok=AopiPR8H)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  15 October 2025  

 [##  Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch  


 

 ](/life/go-behind-the-scenes-at-our-sukkot-lunch) 

 

 

 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 October 2025  

 [##  Your October Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-october-horoscope-5) 

 

 

 

  ![8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives & Friends](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0kmT517DBBlNYu5KGXGye8gtLnQ=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-gifting-thumb.jpg?itok=kRLMY4kZ)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives &amp; Friends  


 

 ](/life/8-thoughtful-gift-ideas-for-older-relatives-friends) 

 

 

 

  ![The Name To Know For Sophisticated & Compassionate Care In Later Life ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ExxwhSEbX-WY5sHl3sEbpuGnPhY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-kyn-comm-thumb.jpg?itok=zfYPm91c)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  The Name To Know For Sophisticated &amp; Compassionate Care In Later Life  


 

 ](/life/the-name-to-know-for-sophisticated-compassionate-care-in-later-life) 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 



  

 Share This Story

 [Facebook

 ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fhow-protect-your-home-burglary&t=This+Is+How+To+Protect+Your+Home+From+A+Burglary) [ Pinterest

 ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fhow-protect-your-home-burglary&description=This+Is+How+To+Protect+Your+Home+From+A+Burglary&media=) [ E-mail

 ](<mailto:?subject=This Is How To Protect Your Home From A Burglary &body=Hi%0A%0AI&#039;ve just read this article https://sheerluxe.com/life/how-protect-your-home-burglary and thought you might like it, too.%0A%0ASheerLuxe is your in-the-know friend keeping you up to date with everything new in fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle %26 home.%0A%0AYou can sign up for the FREE daily newsletter here. https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsignup%3Fseed%3Dsharing%26utm_source%3DWebsite%26utm_medium%3DSL%26utm_campaign%3DEmail%26utm_id%3DSharing>) 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@sheerluxe.com>.

 

 

 

  ##  Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home 

###  Delivered to your inbox, daily 

 [Subscribe](/signup)