Cash, jewellery and bicycles continue to be the most commonly stolen items.
Almost 2,000 home burglaries were reported in Northern Ireland last year, new police data reveals.
However, it seems that many home burglaries remain unresolved. That’s according to findings by Confused.com through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to UK police constabularies.
The data uncovers where break-ins and theft from someone’s person are most common. Cash, jewellery and bicycles continue to be the most commonly stolen items.
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And with the winter meaning shorter and darker days, there’s a chance thieves might take advantage of the dark and attempt break-ins more.
Of the 1,968 home burglaries reported to the PSNI in 2024, 228 have been left unresolved, often meaning the police can’t bring a charge or sanction against somebody for the offence. This is often because of being unable to identify a suspect or gathering sufficient evidence.
But the PSNI was one of the UK police forces with the highest rates of reported burglaries resulting in charges with 13% of break-in cases or 258 resolved in Northern Ireland. Durham Police also saw the highest number of reports resulting in a charge or outcome, at 13% of reports – 204 charges made in total.
Overall, the Metropolitan Police received the highest number of home burglary reports last year, with 32,775 break-ins reported. This is followed by Greater Manchester Police, with almost 10,000 reports over the same time.
While fears of theft could rise over winter, a time where homes are darker for longer and filled with Christmas gifts, many households across the UK remain underprepared.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK adults, 1 in 5 (22%) have experienced a burglary or attempted burglary in their home. When asking those who have had house burglaries in the past, 1 in 4 (25%) said it occurred between 12am and 4.59am, when residents are asleep and homes are less well lit.
With theft that occurred inside the home, cash or wallets remain the most commonly stolen item (28%). These are followed by jewellery (24%) and bicycles (16%). The research also found that the average total value of items stolen was £1,114.94, with the average insurance claim being £835.98.
To help homeowners, Confused.com has launched a home security improvements tool, which gives a personalised protection score with tailored advice on how to strengthen weak spots.
Confused.com home insurance expert, Matthew Harwood, said: “It is hugely important to ensure your home is as safe as possible all year round, but particularly in the winter when days are darker for longer.
“Simple steps like motion-activated lights, smart doorbells or upgrading locks can make a huge difference. This will help deter opportunist thieves who might take advantage of shorter days and darker evenings as a chance to break-in to a home.”
He added: “To help households stay safe, we’ve created a home security improvements tool that allows you to check your home security . Just enter the type of security you currently have and we’ll share a personalised protection score with tailored advice on how to strengthen weak spots.”
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