BURGLARY HOTSPOTS: Can YOU guess where in England has been named burglary claims capital?

GETTY

Can you guess where in England has been named burglary claims capital?

London topped the list with 16 of the top 20 hotspots.

MoneySuperMarket’s reviewed 1.8 million home insurance quotes run on its website over the last two years to identify the postcodes with the highest and lowest rate of claims for home contents theft within a five year period.

North-East London’s Redbridge, IG4, has crept up the rankings to take the number one spot this year, up from third place in last year’s analysis.

But the area’s overall claim rate has dropped by four per cent from 56.7 per 1,000 quotes last year, to 54.7 per 1,000 in this year’s analysis.

Our findings suggest busy urban areas are the biggest targets for theft

Kevin Pratt

North London postcodes dominate the rest of the top five, with Whetstone, N20, Chadwell Heath, RM6 and Clayhall, IG5 all making an appearance.

Leeds’ LS5 is the only area outside the capital to feature at the top end of the list, taking fourth place.

Cambridge, CB5, which avoided the top 20 last year, has risen to 12 in the latest analysis, with a rate of 41.8 burglary claims per 1,000 quotes.

Elsewhere, repeat offending is rife in the top 20, with 11 of last year’s top 20 postcodes featuring once more in the rankings.

GETTY

North London postcodes dominates the top five burgled homes

However, residents in plush London suburb, Dulwich, SE21, last year’s top hotspot, will be pleased to see it has fallen to number nine this year, with the rate of burglary claims in the area dropping by an impressive 29 per cent.

Overall, the rate of burglary claims has fallen by eight per cent in the last year from 13.58 per 1,000 quotes to 12.44.

Of the postcodes with at least one claim for theft, Monkseaton in North Tyneside, NE25, and Bideford in Devon, EX39, share the lowest rate, with 0.9 claims per 1,000 quotes.

Other areas successfully keeping burglars at bay include Witney in Oxfordshire, OX28, which has a rate of 1.3 claims per 1,000 .

There are also 123 postal districts with zero claims, including NR26 in Norwich, Liverpool City Centre, L3, and Manchester City Centre, M1.

GETTY

Cambridge, CB5, which avoided the top 20 last year, has risen to 12 in the latest analysis

Related videos

• 
  Burglars dressed as ghosts caught stealing computers
  
• 
  Hilarious moment burglar is chased off by a TINY dog
  
• 
  Burglars caught in the act by 6ft SEX DOLL
  

Kevin Pratt of MoneySuperMarket, said: “Burglars are interested in two things – where should I go to find stuff worth stealing and where am I least likely to get caught?

"Our findings suggest busy urban areas are the biggest targets for theft, but those who call leafy suburbia home should also be aware of the risks associated with the higher anticipated value of their belongings.”

Lynn Farrar of the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network, said: “Burglary is devastating for many people and our volunteers work hard to help prevent people becoming victims.

"Most burglaries are opportunistic and many can be prevented; we recommend using the WIDE principle when securing your home.

"Householders should ensure their home has Window locks, Interior lights left on a timer when you’re away, Double or dead bolts fitted on doors and Exterior lights with a sensor fitted outside your home.

Original Article