New study reveals that Essex has an average of 59.7 burglaries per 100,000 people during the festive season – a 12.4% decrease compared to the national average. Since 2020, there has been a rise in break-ins of 2.24% over this time period.
The ranking, created by insurance experts Howden Insurance, analysed police force data to determine which areas of England and Wales are the most vulnerable to break-ins during the festive period. Using data from the past three years, the study identified which police forces recorded the highest number of burglaries throughout November and December, per 100,000 residents.
South Yorkshire was found to have the highest number of break-ins during this period, with 148 burglaries per 100,000 residents on average. South Yorkshire Police, who cover Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, recorded 6,121 burglaries in total throughout November and December over the last three years; an average of 2,040 burglaries per year for these selected months. South Yorkshire was also found to have experienced a 12.31% increase in reported burglaries between 2020 and 2022.
Ranking as the second most likely area to experience a break-in over Christmas is Cleveland, at an average of 128 burglaries per 100,000 people. Cleveland Police, who cover Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland recorded 2,190 burglaries throughout November and December over the past three years. Cleveland Police have also seen a 4.32% increase in recorded burglaries between 2020 and 2022.
London, which is covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, was named the third most at risk with an average of 110 burglaries per 100,000 people. The police force, which covers London’s boroughs excluding the City of London, recorded a staggering 29,124 total burglaries between November and December, over the past three years, at an average of 9,708 burglaries per year for these months.
In fourth place is West Yorkshire with its police force recording 107 burglaries per 100,000 people, while Humberside ranked fifth with 97 burglaries per 100,000 residents.
At the other end of the scale, the homeowners were found to be least at risk in Norfolk, with an average of 38 burglaries per 100,000 residents.
