When you’re getting cosy at home in the run-up to Christmas, the threat of a burglary tends to be the furthest thing from your mind.
But there are certain malevolent forces out there who are out to disrupt the most wonderful time of the year, wrecking your peace of mind as well as your home.
Certain parts of England and Wales are more at risk from festive robberies than others, according to data collated by Howden Insurance.
The new study looked at police stats showing how many burglaries were committed in November and December between 2020 and 2022.
It found that South Yorkshire Police recorded the highest average number of burglaries per 100,000 population with 148.
The force, which covers places including Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley, had a total of 6,121 break-ins in the last two months of the year across the three-year period.
There was also a 12.31% increase in reported burglaries between 2020 and 2022 in South Yorkshire.
In fact, the north of England is heavily represented in the top five areas for Christmas burglaries.
Only London, in the third spot with 110 break-ins per 100,000 population, lies outside the north.
Cleveland, which includes the towns of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, is in second place with an average of 128 burglaries per 100,000 people.
West Yorkshire and Humberside round off the five areas with the highest averages over the last three years with 107 and 97 respectively.
At the opposite end of the scale, Norfolk was found to be least at risk of burglaries, with police recording an average of 38 per 100,000 population.
If you’re concerned about thieves breaking into your house at Christmas – or any time of year – the Neighbourhood Watch recommends securing your house by following the acronym ‘WIDE’.
That’s window locks, indoor lights on a timer, doors double-locked and external lights on a sensor.
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