The Crown Jewels may be secure in the Tower of London - but neighbours of the Queen’s Buckingham Palace residence are more at risk from burglars than anywhere else in the country. Last year there were almost 236,000 burglaries across England and Wales, according to hyper-local police neighbourhood crime figures. That was a 3.3% drop from just under 244,000 in 2020-21.
The Fitzrovia West and Soho neighbourhood of Westminster suffered more burglaries than anywhere else in England and Wales with 338, followed by Leeds City Centre (330) and then Central Stockton, Portrack and Low Hartburn in Stockton-on-Tees in the North East.
But when compared to the size of the population, residents living in Strand, St James and Mayfair in Westminster - which includes Buckingham Palace, as well as Covent Garden and part of St James Park - were more at risk from burglars than any other neighbourhood. For every 1,000 residents living in that neighbourhood, there were around 34 burglaries, the highest rate in all England and Wales. That was followed by Goldthorpe in Barnsley (30 burglaries per 1,000 residents), and then Fitzrovia West and Soho (29 per 1,000 residents).
The average rate across almost 7,000 neighbourhoods in England and Wales is around four burglaries per 1,000 people. You can see how many burglaries were reported in your area using our interactive, along with how that compares to other areas. Simply enter your postcode below.
Separate Home Office figures show that the number of house break-ins traditionally increases from July, and continues to rise until after Christmas when the number of burglaries drops off again. Last year there were 42,521 residential burglaries between April and June. The number of home invasions then rose by 9.1% between July and September - when many people leave their homes to go on holiday - and again by 15.0% between October and December, before dropping by 6.8% between January and March.
A similar pattern has played out in previous years. Figures are not yet available for April to June 2022-23, but according to recent trends the numbers are likely to fall again, before rising from July. Burglary is defined as the act of breaking into a building with the intention of stealing, hurting someone, or causing damage.
There are three types of burglary recognised in law - a domestic burglary such as a home invasion which is punishable by a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison; a non-domestic burglary such as a raid on a shop or business, which commands a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and the most serious crime of aggravated burglary. This is when an offender goes equipped for burglary with a weapon. The maximum sentence for this offence is life in prison.
Jeffrey DeMarco, assistant director at the charity Victim Support said: “The impact of a burglary goes beyond just the financial losses – although these can be devastating. Home should be the place where we feel most safe. A burglary is an invasion of that space and can deeply unsettle people’s sense of security. For some, it could mean the loss of treasured belongings and memories that can never be replaced.
“Sadly, too many people still fall victim to burglary. Support services like Victim Support also offer free practical and emotional support to victims - call the charity’s free 24/7 Supportline on 0808 16 89 111.”
Police recorded crime figures show that someone was charged in just 5.2% of burglaries in England and Wales last year - where investigations had been completed - down from 5.8% in 2020-21 and 6.1% in 2019-20. The figures also show businesses are more likely to see an offender prosecuted than a homeowner. An alleged burglar was charged with the crime in 7.6% of completed investigations into break-ins at a business presence, compared to 4.0% of burglaries at residential properties.
However, that could be due to businesses being more likely to be protected by better security, such as CCTV.
