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Burglary Offences This Year

Approximately 308,000 burglary offences are recorded in England and Wales each year, according to Home Office Crime Statistics. This equates to approximately 844 burglaries per day — roughly one every 102 seconds.

Burglary is divided into two main categories: residential burglary (burglary in a dwelling) and non-residential burglary (burglary of businesses and other buildings). Residential burglary accounts for approximately 60% of all burglary offences, equating to around 185,000 home burglaries per year.

Burglary rates have declined significantly over the long term, falling by approximately 70% since their peak in the mid-1990s when over 1 million burglaries were recorded annually. This long-term decline is attributed to improved home security, target hardening, and changes in the criminal market.

The average loss from a residential burglary is estimated at approximately £3,000 including stolen goods and damage to property. Beyond financial loss, research consistently shows that burglary victims experience significant psychological harm, with many reporting ongoing anxiety, sleep disturbance and reduced sense of safety in their home.

Detection rates for burglary remain low. Approximately 6-8% of recorded burglaries result in a charge or summons, meaning the large majority of offenders are never brought to justice. Police forces prioritise intelligence-led approaches and repeat victimisation prevention given resource constraints.

Source: Home Office Crime Statistics, England and Wales · Data year: 2023/24 · All figures are statistical estimates calculated from official annual publications

How many burglaries are there in the UK per year?

Approximately 308,000 burglary offences are recorded in England and Wales each year according to Home Office Crime Statistics 2023/24. This equates to roughly 844 per day or one every 102 seconds. Residential burglaries account for approximately 60% of the total, at around 185,000 home burglaries per year.

Is burglary increasing or decreasing in the UK?

Burglary has declined dramatically over the long term, falling approximately 70% since its peak in the mid-1990s when over 1 million offences were recorded annually. However, there have been year-on-year fluctuations. Burglary fell sharply during COVID-19 lockdowns and has partially recovered since. The long-term decline is attributed to better home security and changing criminal markets.

What percentage of burglaries are solved in the UK?

Approximately 6-8% of recorded burglaries in England and Wales result in a charge or summons, according to Home Office data. This means the large majority of burglaries do not result in a conviction. Low detection rates reflect the difficulty of identifying offenders without forensic evidence or witnesses, and resource pressures on police forces.