Darker nights and rising theft risks: how to protect your home, car and tools

Key takeaways:

• Burglary rates have fallen, but that doesn’t mean you should be complacent.

• Certain areas, such as London, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands had a higher number of burglaries.

• Keeping your insurance up to date with the appropriate level is crucial, so that it keeps track with the value of your possessions.

As the evenings get darker, many homeowners and drivers start thinking about how to keep their property safe. While overall crime levels have fallen over the past two decades, burglary and vehicle-related theft remain a reality for hundreds of thousands of people every year.

From home break-ins to stolen vehicles and tools, the financial and emotional impact can be significant. That's why taking a few simple precautions can make a real difference. Here are some of the latest statistics and practical tips to help protect your home, vehicle and belongings.

An estimated 327,000 home burglaries recorded

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were an estimated 327,000 domestic burglary incidents in England and Wales in the year ending December 2025.

The good news is that this represents a 22% fall compared with the previous year. However, it still means thousands of families experienced the disruption, stress and financial cost that can follow a burglary. A break-in isn't just about replacing stolen items. Many people also face repair costs, time away from work and the emotional impact of knowing someone has entered their home.

Which areas experience the highest number of burglaries?

Burglary can happen anywhere, but ONS data shows that some police force areas experience significantly higher numbers of residential burglaries than others.

Areas with the highest number of residential burglaries

Areas with the lowest number of residential burglaries

Despite urban areas with larger populations accounting for the highest volumes of reported residential burglaries, even homes in areas with lower crime levels can still be targeted as criminals often look for opportunities rather than locations. One of the simplest places to start is reviewing your home's entry points: doors and windows. ONS analysis shows that around 70% of burglaries involve entry through a door.

Good-quality locks, secure doors, outdoor lighting and home security systems could deter opportunist thieves.

Vehicle theft remains a concern for drivers

Your vehicle is often one of your most valuable possessions. Whether it's used for commuting, family life or work, losing access to it can be costly and disruptive.

The ONS recorded approximately 596,000 vehicle-related theft incidents in England and Wales in the year ending December 2025. This includes:

• Vehicle theft

• Attempted vehicle theft

• Theft of vehicle parts

• Theft from vehicles

While modern vehicles include increasingly sophisticated security features, thieves continue to target cars and vans for both vehicles and their contents.

Tool theft continues to affect tradespeople

For many tradespeople, a van is much more than a vehicle. It's effectively a mobile workshop carrying essential tools and equipment. Research from Direct Line found that 49% of reported tool thefts in 2025 involved tools stolen from vans.

The impact can be immediate. Without access to essential tools, work may have to be postponed or cancelled. For self-employed tradespeople, that can mean paying to replace equipment while also losing income from missed jobs.

How to protect your home, car and tools

While no home or vehicle can be made completely crime-proof, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Install approved locks and alarms.

• Keep doors and windows locked when unattended.

• Avoid leaving valuables on display.

• Remove tools and equipment from vans overnight where possible.

• Park in well-lit, busy areas.

• Keep an up-to-date inventory of valuable possessions and tools.

• Don’t promote that your home is vacant by posting holiday or work-trip posts in real-time on your social media account, save these posts for when you have returned.

Make sure your insurance is ready if the worst happens

Even with the best precautions, burglaries and vehicle break-ins can still occur.

Having the right insurance in place can help provide financial protection if you need to repair damage caused during the crime or replace stolen belongings after a break-in. Regularly reviewing your cover can also help ensure it reflects your current circumstances and the value of your possessions.

Whether you're looking for home insurance, car insurance or van insurance, speaking to one of our local advisers who can help you find cover that's right for you and your circumstances.

Find your nearest high-street branch to start to learning about the insurance solutions available to you.

Sources

• Overview of burglary and other household theft - Office for National Statistics

• Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area data tables - Office for National Statistics

• Direct Line, October 2025