Dyfed-Powys ranks as one of the safest areas with lowest burglary rates in England and Wales, coming in 7th place

The study, conducted by the security experts at ADT looked at burglary rates across the UK and Wales to reveal the areas considered the safest. The study also revealed the areas with the highest rates of burglaries, as well as the time of the day in which you are most likely to be burgled.

Devon and Cornwall experienced the fewest burglaries per 1,000 homes out of all areas in England and Wales for the second year. In the last 12 months, there were just 2.3 residential burglaries per 1,000 households. Since last year, burglaries in the area have increased by 15%.

Norfolk is one of the least targeted areas of England and Wales by home robbers, with just 3.3 burglaries per 1,000 residences in the year ending March 2023. This represents a decrease of 5.9% in the burglary rate of 2022 for areas including Norwich and King’s Lynn.

Compared to other areas of England and Wales, Suffolk was less likely to experience a burglary. For the year ending March 2023, there were 3.7 residential household burglaries per 1,000 households in the police force area, which covers Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and surrounding areas. Burglaries in the area have decreased by 9.8% since last year.

North Yorkshire is one of the least burgled areas of England and Wales. For the year ending March 2023, there were 3.7 burglaries in the police force area covering York, Selby, and Scarborough. Burglaries in North Yorkshire have decreased by 2.8% in the last year.

The experts at ADT have also offered their advice on how to deter burglars from targeting your home.

Monitored smart home security systems are one of the best ways to protect your home. These systems can include a range of sensors and camera devices designed to protect you, your loved ones and your property. Monitored home security systems, like ADT Smart Home, also ensure that when you’re away, a dedicated alarm receiving centre is on hand 24/7 to monitor your alarm and take action, such as notifying you, your keyholders and the police* in the event of an alarm activation, giving you peace of mind.

You should always ensure your locks are working correctly, but with burglars employing new methods, including burning locks, it is essential to have two locks or a multi-point locking system on your doors. If a robber breaks your lock, the second lock provides additional protection. Ensure the locks you choose are high quality with a strong cylinder, like a diamond cylinder.

Installing a video doorbell and cameras is one of the best defences against opportunistic burglary. With 24/7 motion detection and automatic recording, video doorbells and cameras can deter criminals while providing video evidence of any attempted home break-in. Most video doorbells, like the ADT Wireless Video Doorbell, send notifications to your smartphone so you can monitor your home even when you’re away. ADT’s outdoor camera also comes complete with Perimeter Guard emitting a deterrent noise when motion is detected.

Most burglars target small valuables that are left in plain sight and difficult to trace. You should always hide items like your purse, wallet, and jewellery at night and when you leave your house. The best way to secure your valuables is to lock them in a safe that is bolted down and cannot be removed from your home. Without a safe, it is best to disperse your high-value items around the house rather than pool them all together for an easy grab.

Whilst strangers commit most burglaries, you may be targeted by someone you know, as shown above. Posting your holiday dates whilst you are at the airport or on holiday as well as your current whereabouts on social media, can let people know you are out of your home and potentially away for a long period of time, which is the ideal time for burglars to strike. You should be careful when sharing your location on social media to avoid being an easy target, and always ensure that you have your privacy settings on platforms such as Facebook set to private.

The study also found that: