More than one in three UK households have fallen victim to burglary, with many incidents occurring while residents slept, according to new research from Tesco Insurance.
The study found that 36% of UK households reported experiencing burglary, with 7% of incidents occurring within the past 12 months. The crime affects families across generations, as 26% said their parents had been victims, and 17% reported that their grandparents had experienced break-ins.
Burglars gained entry through broken windows in 35% of cases and by forcing doors in 28% of incidents. One in five victims said intruders entered through unlocked doors or windows. Other methods included tampering with locks (14%) and disabling alarm systems (10%).
The timing of burglaries varied significantly. One in four victims said break-ins happened at night while they were asleep, 19% reported incidents during daytime work hours, and 10% said burglaries occurred while they were on holiday.
Cash and jewellery or watches were the most commonly stolen items, each taken in 33% of cases. Laptops or computers were stolen in 19% of incidents, and mobile phones or tablets in 15%. The average cost to replace stolen items reached £1,250, though 22% of victims faced costs exceeding £1,500, and 10% exceeded £5,000.
Despite substantial losses, only 32% had insurance covering the full amount. One in eight victims paid entirely out of pocket to replace items and repair damage.
Analysis of 2024 Tesco home insurance claims revealed seasonal patterns in burglaries. October emerged as the peak month, representing 37% of all home insurance claims during the autumn months and 25% of overall home theft claims in 2024.
“Burglary remains a serious threat for UK households, especially as the evenings get darker,” said Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance. “Opportunistic thieves are drawn to vacant homes, a lack of security, and signs of high-value items.”
Cross recommended several prevention measures. He advised homeowners to use double locks on doors and remove keys from locks, as keys can be accessed through letterboxes or cat flaps. He suggested breaking down boxes from new purchases rather than displaying them, as empty packaging advertises valuable items inside homes.
Additional recommendations included securing items such as bins and water butts that could provide access to upper windows, and installing motion-sensitive lights angled away from locks and windows. Cross also suggested using timed lights in different rooms to create the appearance of occupancy.
“While the risk can’t be completely eliminated, simple steps such as locking doors and windows, using outdoor lighting, and keeping valuables out of sight can greatly reduce your chances of being targeted,” Cross said. “Having home insurance also provides peace of mind, ensuring you have some financial protection if the worst happens.”
The research surveyed 3,074 UK adults, including 2,043 homeowners and 1,031 renters, conducted from July 25 to 30, 2025.
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