KAT Locksmiths Essex

Homeowners in London and Bradford are the most likely in the UK to make a claim for theft or burglary on their home insurance.

After analysing three million home insurance quotes put into its website over the past year, Moneysupermarket.com also reveals that Stoke Newington in North London had the highest number of claims for theft from home or garden with 34 per 1,000 people living in the area. It was closely followed in the list by Apperley Bridge in Bradford and West Bromich, which took second and third place respectively.

"Home is where the heart is, and there is no denying that a burglary in your home is an emotional and frightening experience," says Julie Fisher, head of home insurance at Moneysupermarket.com.

"However, being in a higher risk area doesn't necessarily mean where you live is bad or rife with crime - many thieves will target more affluent areas purely for the rewards on offer."

She adds: "Homeowners need to be extra vigilant when it comes to security – installing timers on your lights and ensuring items of value are kept away from your windows are easy steps to take to reduce risk. But you never know when an opportunistic thief may strike, so it's crucial to ensure your home contents insurance is fully up to date, and is at a high enough level to cover all your belongings sufficiently."

10 ways to protect your home from thieves

• Ensure you lock all windows and doors before leaving the house – it may seem obvious but it's worth double-checking.
• Check that your locks are in full working order – locks have a limited lifespan and if yours have seen better days it will be easier for a thief to get in. A top-notch lock can also reduce your home insurance premiums.
• Keep valuable items away from the window – you know when you walk past a shop window and spot an amazing top and simply have to have it? Well, the same thing happens to thieves, only it's your window and your laptop.
• Don't leave your valuables lying about the house either – thieves don't want to spend hours in your home hunting for things, so by hiding away your jewellery, laptops, cameras, and MP3 players they are less likely to get nicked.
• Don't leave your keys in obvious places – thieves may watch your home before they strike so if they see you sticking your keys under the doormat they've got an easy way in. Also watch out for ‘hook and crook' thieves who will hook your keys through the letterbox if they are left close enough to the door.
• Install an alarm – a professionally installed and maintained alarm will not only improve your security, it could also lower your home insurance premiums.
• Get a fake alarm box fitted – if you can't afford a full alarm system get a fake alarm box fitted, it will make thieves think twice.
• Set your lights on timers – set lights to come on at various intervals if you are away so your home appears occupied.
• Install security lighting – if your house lights up like Blackpool Tower when someone walks up the drive thieves will avoid it.
• Lay down gravel – nothing announces someone's presence quite like the crunch of gravel so whether you lay it along your drive or simply in flowerbeds under windows it's an excellent security measure.

The 20 UK postcode districts most likely to claim for theft on their home insurance:

Go Back