With the festive season approaching, many of us are looking forward to cozy nights at home and time with family and friends, but as we dive into the holidays it’s important to remember that in some places, a different kind of visitor might be lurking outside.
With a rise in burglaries over Christmas in the UK, we analysed police data from November 2024 to January 2025 to identify the most affected areas. The average UK neighbourhood recorded just 2.6 burglaries, but in some areas that figure was nearly seven times higher.
London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester stand out as the most burglary-prone cities during the festive season, with central districts such as Westminster’s West End, Ladywood and Little London among the country’s top hotspots.
Explore the map
See which across the UK recorded the most burglaries during November 2024 to January 2025. Click a marker to see the area name, local authority, and number of recorded burglaries.
Regionally, London has more festive burglary hotspots than anywhere else
- According to the latest analysis, London remains the epicentre of festive-season burglaries, with around a third of the UK’s top 200 hotspots located in the capital.
- Within Westminster, the West End (175 burglaries), St James’s (68), and Marylebone (21) recorded the highest totals, followed closely by areas in Camden, Hackney, and Southwark.
- Across the city, burglary incidents were most concentrated in central and inner London, with totals tapering off in outer boroughs such as Bromley, Sutton, and Bexley.
In the North, Birmingham stands out for holiday season burglaries
- In the North and Midlands, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester each recorded some of the UK’s highest festive-season burglary totals.
- Central districts such as Ladywood (Birmingham), Little London and Woodhouse (Leeds), and Deansgate (Manchester) each saw between 40 and 100 incidents, making them among the most affected urban areas during the festive period.
- This pattern reflects broader urban trends, where dense housing, nightlife, and commuter activity coincide with higher winter burglary risks.
Spy Alarms Group Commercial Director Glenn Flannery says:
“Unfortunately, circumstances around this time of year can create an environment ripe for theft across the country. Homes filled with valuable gifts and others left empty as we head off on holiday can be very tempting to intruders, especially with longer nights providing cover.
A few factors contribute to this surge in London, particularly around the southeast, where the data shows a high burglary rate in November and December. Sheer density and strained police resources in some areas, for one. And in others, a high percentage of renters and short-term lets means there’s reluctance to invest in home security, which can leave people vulnerable.”
Top 10 places with the most burglary reports overall
| Rank | Hotspot | Location | Number of burglaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West End | Westminster | 175 |
| 2 | Little London & Woodhouse | Leeds | 101 |
| 3 | St Jame's | Westminster | 68 |
| 4 | Bargate | Southampton | 62 |
| 5 | City | Sheffield | 56 |
| 6 | Bordesley & Highgate | Birmingham | 53 |
| 7 | Monument | Newcastle upon Tyne | 52 |
| 8 | Town | Doncaster | 45 |
| 9 | Castleford Central and Glasshoughton | Wakefield | 45 |
| 10 | Central | Bristol, City of | 41 |
Top 10 places with the most burglary reports in London
| Rank | Hotspot | Number of burglaries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West End | 175 |
| 2 | St James's | 68 |
| 3 | Hoxton East & Shoreditch | 31 |
| 4 | Junction | 29 |
| 5 | Spitalfields & Banglatown | 22 |
| 6 | Camden Town | 22 |
| 7 | Holborn & Covent Garden | 22 |
| 8 | Brixton Windrush | 22 |
| 9 | Marylebone | 21 |
| 10 | Bloomsbury | 21 |
People in the UK are thinking about ways to protect their homes
Unfortunately, it's not just Kevin McCallister who had to outsmart two bumbling burglars in Home Alone – people across the UK are having to be extra vigilant to protect their homes from break-ins.
In the last three months, Google searches for home protection are up, showing how serious we are about guarding what’s under the Christmas tree.
- intruder alarms are up +22%
- home security systems are up +17%
- security cameras for homes are up +22%
Here’s why burglaries increase over Christmas
- Early sunsets during winter give intruders more opportunities to operate under darkness.
- With many people going on holiday over this period, homes left unoccupied for extended periods can become prime targets, especially in burglary hotspots.
- Gifts and valuables are sometimes clearly visible through windows and under the Christmas tree, which can be tempting for thieves.
- Burglars often exploit our routines; the holiday season can bring predictable behaviour patterns.
Glenn says “at Spy Alarms we’ve been offering expert, practical solutions to home owners for almost 40 years. Often the thinking around home security can be overwhelming due to the myriad of possibilities on offer and therefore can be left on the to do list. The run in to Christmas is an ideal time to engage our friendly team to advise on best steps, leaving you to relax and enjoy the festive season”.
Five ways to protect your home during the holidays, according to Nigel Standen, Residential Security Surveyor at Spy Alarms
- Install a security alarm: Always keep your home protected with a security alarm, as most burglaries on alarmed homes are unsuccessful.
- Use security lighting: If you lack a CCTV system, install motion-sensitive exterior lights and use automatic timer switches for lamps or radios to create the illusion of occupancy.
- Hide your Christmas gifts: Wait to leave presents under the tree until Christmas Day; keep them out of sight from windows to avoid attracting thieves.
- Secure storage: Avoid storing valuable gifts in sheds or garages. Use trellises with spiky plants to deter climbing over walls.
- Dispose of packaging discreetly: Fold and hide discarded boxes after the holidays to prevent advertising new valuables to potential burglars.
- Lock up: Always lock doors and windows, and regularly test your burglar alarms. Most burglaries occur from 6 AM to 6 PM during the week and often involve opportunistic theft.
Read about more ways to protect your home this Christmas.
You don’t need to watch Home Alone for inspiration. We’ve got you covered
Spy Alarms provides top-tier security solutions to protect your property, offering advanced burglar alarms, CCTV systems, and 24/7 monitoring. With tailored installations and remote access options, we ensure your home is secured against intruders, giving you peace of mind while you enjoy some downtime this festive season.
Method:
We analysed and collated Police burglary data across the UK between November 2024 and January 2025 to identify Christmas crime hotspots during the festive season. Google searches courtesy of Metis.
