The two most burgled postcodes in the UK are in Birmingham, according to analysis by a leading insurance company.
The B15 postcode, which covers Edgbaston and B94, that takes in Solihull, have been revealed as the nation’s worst break-in hotspots. A further four West Midlands and Warwickshire postcodes were recorded amongst the top 50 postcodes where insurance claims were made following theft to the home.
The research, carried out by MoneySuperMarket Home Insurance, detailed where the highest and lowest insurance claims for burglary took place, from the start of 2021 to the end of 2023.
The Edgbaston area was, by some considerable distance, the most targeted postcode, with 49.77 claims for every 1,000 quotes.
The postcode in second position B94, registered 38.10 claims per 1000 quotes. The other West Midlands postcodes which featured amongst the top 50 worst affected areas were: B20 Birchfield, Handsworth Wood and Perry Barr (29.46/1000 - 18th overall); B47 Hollywood, Wythall (28.69/1000 – 28th); B17 Harborne (27.99/1000 – 35th); and WS1 Walsall town centre and Caldmore (27.95/1000 – 36th).
The fact that the burglary rates in B15 were as so far ahead of the rest was put largely down to the area having a large student population, with the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University campuses both located there.
As a result, many houses remained unoccupied throughout the Christmas, Easter and summer periods, making them prime targets for potential break-ins.
London, Leeds, Bristol and Sheffield also had multiple entries, whilst the BT23 postcode in Northern Ireland had the fewest claims in the whole country – at just 0.69 per 1000 quotes.
Is the cost of home insurance affected by burglary rates?
Yes, it can make a big difference. Obviously, the size of property will be taken into consideration, but insurers also factor in local crime rates when setting home insurance premiums. Districts with high burglary levels will inevitably see loaded insurance costs.
What can be done to reduce the cost of your home insurance?
To help keep insurance costs to a minimum, MoneySupermarket Home Insurance recommend improving home security by having a burglar alarm system installed and upgrading door and window locks – something we at Justice Fire & Security have long been recommending.
Premiums can also be reduced by increasing the voluntary excess, although this means paying more, in the event of a claim being made. Paying annually is also likely to be cheaper than paying by a monthly direct debit.
MoneySuperMarket also advise letting your insurer know of any particularly expensive items - jewellery, watches, art or wine collections etc – that may exceed a single item limit. If these treasured possessions are ever stolen, at least you’ll have the peace of mind that their value will be protected.
On a slightly brighter note, the MoneySupermarket research showed that burglary claims are trending downwards, with the number of claims per 1,000 quotes falling by around 12% during the last year. That said, insurance premiums have risen by an average of 18% over the same period.
The MoneySupermarket tips to improve your home security
Make sure windows are doors are fitted with secure, robust locks
Keep valuables and car keys hidden and out of sight
Make sure valuable possessions are marked with a UV security pen – making it easier to identify them if they are stolen and recovered
Have a security system by a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) – a NACOSS Gold supplier
As part of your security alarm arrangements, install CCTV cameras, automatic sensor lights and make sure the system is fully monitored (24/7)
Time to consider a Justice Home Security Subscription?
Commenting on the research, Justice Fire and Security Business Manager, Kevin Watkins, said it was a timely reminder of the importance of home security.
“The West Midlands is a wonderful part of the country, but it certainly isn’t immune to crime, with house burglaries being a sad fact of everyday life.”
“Some areas are more prone to crime than others, but it is always wise to take whatever practical measures you can, to protect your property as much as possible. Having an affordable intruder alarm that is both maintained and monitored is the most effective course of action you can take. The Justice Subscription provides homeowners with the opportunity to rent state-of-the-art equipment for a very affordable monthly payment.” Kevin added.
If you have concerns about your home security, Justice Fire & Security are here to provide immediate assistance.
Long established, we design, install and maintain gold standard fire safety and security systems across Birmingham, the wider West Midlands and Warwickshire, along with Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
For all enquiries, contact our main switchboard on 0845 468 9077.
For further reading go to: UK Burglary Hot Spots | MoneySuperMarket
