What do thieves steal the most?

Thieves most frequently steal easily concealable, high-value, and quickly resold items, with cash, jewellery, and electronics (laptops, phones) topping the list for home burglaries. For shoplifting, meat is currently the most stolen item (85% of stores reporting it), alongside alcohol, cosmetics, and electrical goods.

What do burglars steal the most?

Burglars also don't want to spend too long in your house, so they'll likely take off with whatever is handy and profitable. Jewellery, consumer electronics like phones, tablets and laptops as well as portable hardware tools and equipment all rank highly as stolen goods claimed under insurance[1].

What is the #1 stolen item?

The most commonly stolen items depend on where the theft happens—such as stores, homes, or cars—but they usually share two traits: they are valuable and easy to resell. These include electronics, jewelry, designer clothing, and perfumes.

What do burglars steal in the UK?

Some of the most common stolen items include laptops, jewellery, and prescription medication. Advice: Keep a list of serial numbers of electrical items, and mark valuables with a UV pen so you can identify them if they are stolen. Keep smaller valuables and money in a secure safe to help prevent these being taken.

What is the most stolen item in the UK?

According to new research from CCTV operators Get Licensed, 85% of stores are reporting meat to be the most stolen item shoplifters target when they strike. In 2024, England and Wales recorded over 516,000 shoplifting offences, the company says, up 20% on the previous year and the highest figure since 2003.

Thieves steal $100K BMW, luxury cars from dealership showroom!

What is the 200 pound shoplifting rule?

The "£200 shoplifting rule" in England and Wales refers to the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which classified thefts under £200 as "low-value shoplifting," a summary offense with a maximum of six months' jail time, leading to a perception that police didn't prioritize it. While this rule allowed for swift justice, it created an impression of impunity for offenders and prompted calls for reform, with new legislation proposed to abolish it and tackle retail crime more seriously, focusing on organized gangs and repeat offenders.
 

What is the hardest car for thieves to steal?

Tesla. Tesla vehicles, especially the more recent models, are one of the hardest automobiles to steal. This is due to the integrated digital ecosystem, which includes the always-on GPS tracking feature that allows Tesla car owners and law enforcement to locate a stolen vehicle with precision.

What do burglars hate most?

Why Invest in Burglar Deterrents?

1. Home Security Cameras. Our best deterrent for burglars is the presence of an outdoor security camera. ...
2. Outdoor Lighting. ...
3. Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ...
4. Dogs. ...
5. Security Gates. ...
6. Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ...
7. An Alarm System. ...
8. Get Friendly With Your Neighbors.

Where do thieves look first?

Doors and windows are the most common entry points for burglars, so near these entry points is often the first place they look for any valuables. Burglars also know many homeowners hide their house key near the front door, making it easier for them to break in within minutes or even seconds.

What is the most common shoplifted item?

The products most frequently stolen from supermarkets include foodstuffs, hygiene products, cosmetics and fashion accessories: cheese ; meat and charcuterie.

What gets robbed the most?

The 8 Most Commonly Stolen Retail Products

• Electronics. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and gaming consoles, electronics can earn big profits for thieves, making them a popular target. ...
• Clothing. ...
• Alcohol. ...
• Cosmetics. ...
• Meat and Cheese. ...
• Baby Formula. ...
• Home Improvement Supplies. ...
• Coffee.

What's the least stolen item?

While pets can sometimes be the target of thieves and robbers, livestock was the least common category of stolen items, according to the UCR data.

How to buy a stolen item?

Alongside traditional auction houses, police forces have set up eBay and Vinted stores. You can check your local force's website to see how it sells the goods - some will be more active than others.

Where do burglars never look?

1) Library or a Study Room. Home library or office room with bookshelves. This is an excellent spot to stash your valuables, especially if you have lots of books. It becomes a tedious task for thieves to search between the books, especially when they only have a short amount of time to pull off the theft.

What attracts thieves?

Burglars are often opportunistic thieves who prey on houses and flats. They seek out any opening that they can take advantage of, specifically doors and windows that are left open or unlocked or are easy to force. Anything of value that they might spot through a window will only spur them on.

Which houses do burglars avoid?

Burglars do not want to be seen going in or out of a home, so they will likely avoid well-lit homes. Remember, you can also use timers to schedule your lights to turn on and off when you are on holiday.

What scares away thieves?

Consider leaving your radio or TV on as thieves might think someone is in your property which could deter them. Use lights with timer switches. If you are going away, don't publicise it on social media or put it on a wall calendar that's easily viewable through your windows.

Where not to hide money in house?

Hiding Places to Avoid:

• areas that can damage your valuables with water or invasive matter, such as the water tank of a toilet, inside a mayonnaise jar that still has mayonnaise in it, or a paint can filled with paint. ...
• a jewelry box. ...
• your desk drawer, bedside drawer, or underwear drawer. ...
• inside CD cases.

Do burglars go into bedrooms?

Burglars usually go to the master bedroom first.

Once they break in, burglars head straight for the master bedroom, where they scavenge through dresser drawers and nightstands, look under mattresses, and search closets. Cash, jewellery, and cards are some of the things a burglar wants most from your home.

Does leaving lights on at night deter burglars?

Don't. Leaving your lights on all night doesn't send the message that your home. Instead, choose times you would normally use lighting during the evenings. If you use timers, set them to turn on and off in different rooms to give the appearance that someone is moving around your home.

Where is the best place to put a safe in your house in the UK?

The best places for a safe in a UK house combine inconspicuous locations with secure fixing to a structural wall or concrete floor, avoiding the master bedroom or garage; think built-in within a wardrobe, under floorboards, in a sturdy kitchen cupboard (under sink/kickboard), or concealed within a loft/basement, ensuring it's bolted down to prevent removal and hidden from casual view, like behind art or furniture, for maximum security. 

What burglars don't want you to know?

5 Secrets burglars don't want you to know

• Your front door is too enticing.
• Your home isn't scary enough.
• You're way too predictable.
• Your yard is an easy target.
• You're leaving your second floor vulnerable.

What's the easiest car to steal in the UK?

The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the most common cars in the UK, especially among new drivers and city commuters. It's small, affordable, and reliable. But that also makes it easy pickings for thieves. Earlier Corsas are especially vulnerable because many lack modern security systems.

What car brands do thieves avoid?

Volvo XC60 and XC90

These robust security measures make Volvo vehicles less appealing to car thieves. While Tesla vehicles are known for their security, some BMW models also stand the test of time in terms of durability and reliability.

What color car gets stolen the least?

The least stolen cars are ones with bright colours such as orange, green, yellow, and pink. This is because they're uncommon, easy to notice, and hard to sell. Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black.