London top location to get burgled

By analysing 1.8 million home insurance quotes between January 2015 and December 2016 MoneySuperMarket identified postcodes with the highest and lowest rate of claims for home contents theft within a five year period.

London top location to get burgled

London is a hotspot for burglary as 16 of the UK’s most common areas to get burgled are in the capital.

By analysing 1.8 million home insurance quotes between January 2015 and December 2016 MoneySuperMarket identified postcodes with the highest and lowest rate of claims for home contents theft within a five year period.

The worst area was Redbridge in North East London while Cambridge rose to 12th with a rate of 41.8 burglary claims per 1000 quotes despite not featuring in last year's study.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Our findings suggest busy urban areas are the biggest targets for theft, but those who call leafy suburbia home should also be aware of the risks associated with the higher anticipated value of their belongings.

“Home insurance represents great value, with the average cost of combined buildings and contents cover falling steeply in recent times.”

The data revealed that the value of claims submitted in winter were on average 36% higher than those in summer.

The rate of burglary claims have fallen by 8% to 12.44 per 1000 quotes in this year’s analysis.

Lynn Farrar, chair of Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network, said: “Burglary is devastating for many people and our volunteers work hard to help prevent people becoming victims.

“Householders should ensure their home has window locks, interior lights left on a timer when you’re away, double or dead bolts fitted on doors and exterior lights with a sensor fitted outside your home.

“Taking these basic steps can offer 49 times more protection against burglary than homes without these measures.”