South Yorkshire Revealed as Third Most-Burgled Area in England and Wales

High Burglary Rates in Yorkshire and the North

According to recent analysis of official crime data, South Yorkshire has been identified as the third most-burgled area in England and Wales. Throughout the calendar year of 2025, nearly one in every 99 households in the region was targeted by thieves. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that South Yorkshire experienced 10.1 residential burglaries per 1,000 households.

The Stark Regional Divide

The analysis, conducted by SJL, highlights a severe concentration of burglary risks across Yorkshire and the North East. South Yorkshire falls just behind West Yorkshire (10.6 per 1,000 households) and Cleveland (10.4 per 1,000 households). Alarmingly, the top six most-burgled areas include South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cleveland, and Humberside, alongside Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Despite a national 12% decrease in police-recorded residential burglaries in 2025 (totalling 154,161), forces in northern England consistently report rates significantly higher than the national average.

Expert Warnings on Insurance and Vulnerability

Craig Morgan, an insurance expert at SJL Insurance Services, noted the stark postcode divide: “While the headline national figures show burglary is falling, that comfort disappears very quickly when you look at the data by area. In West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, roughly one in every 95 to 99 homes was broken into last year; that is not a remote risk, that is a near-certainty over a few years of living in those areas.” Morgan urged residents to review their insurance policies, pointing out that underinsured contents or unspecified high-value items often compound the distress of a break-in.

Essential Burglary Prevention Advice

Given the high regional risks, residents are strongly advised to secure their properties and review their insurance coverage. Consider these vital security measures:

• Install robust, high-quality locks on all exterior doors and windows, checking them regularly.
• Invest in a visible burglar alarm and smart security cameras to deter potential intruders.
• Ensure that your home contents insurance policy is up-to-date and accurately reflects the value of your possessions.
• Keep high-value items out of sight from windows and store important documents in a secure safe.
• Use timer switches for indoor lighting to give the impression that the house is occupied when you are out.