Preventing Burglary in 2025: What Every Landlord Should Know
- Justin Myles MSc FSyI CPP PSP CSMP
- Sep 18, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
Burglary remains a costly and disruptive crime for property owners in 2025. Despite advances in security, thousands of homes, businesses, and vacant sites are still targeted each year.
Contents
2025 at a Glance
✔ 245,284 burglaries in England & Wales (–8% YoY)
✔ Domestic burglary levels stable year on year
✔ 8% of businesses hit by burglary attempts (highest in retail)
How common is burglary in the UK in 2025?
Police in England and Wales recorded 245,284 burglaries in the year to March 2025, a fall of 8% compared with the previous year. While this suggests some progress, household survey data show domestic burglary levels have not changed significantly year on year, meaning the risk for homes remains much the same.
Businesses in the UK continue to face disruption too. The Commercial Victimisation Survey (2023) found that 8% of business premises experienced burglary or attempted burglary, with the retail and wholesale sectors most at risk.
The financial toll extends well beyond stolen or damaged goods, as higher insurance premiums and reputational harm often compound the loss.
Key takeaway: Burglary in 2025 remains a widespread threat, with little change in household exposure and continued pressure on businesses despite a fall in police recorded offences.
Who commits burglaries and why?
Research shows there is no single profile of a burglar, but offender studies highlight some consistent traits. Most convicted burglars are male, aged between 20 and 30, and often repeat offenders with a history of other crimes such as robbery or vehicle theft.
Many have limited education or unstable employment, and burglary can become part of a longer-term criminal “career” rather than a one-off act.
Motives also vary. Some offenders are driven by immediate financial need, while others see burglary as a reliable way to fund a lifestyle or substance use.
Commercial burglary is often preferred because it feels less personal than targeting homes, the risks of confrontation are lower, and the potential rewards such as equipment, stock, or cash, can be greater.
Key takeaway: Most burglars are young, repeat male offenders, and many deliberately choose commercial sites because they appear easier and less risky than private homes.
How burglars choose their targets
Most commercial burglaries are not random. Offenders often spend time looking for sites that appear vulnerable or easy to access.
Common factors that make a property attractive include:
Easy access to doors, windows, or roofs.
Poor visibility from neighbours or passing traffic.
Overgrown vegetation or clutter providing cover.
Little or no lighting at entrances.
No visible signs of security such as CCTV or alarms.
Isolated locations or vacant premises with low activity.
Burglars also consider how “cared for” a site looks. A property that appears abandoned or neglected is more likely to be targeted than one that looks occupied and maintained.
Key takeaway: Properties that look isolated, poorly maintained, and unprotected are more likely to attract burglars’ attention
How burglars break in
Most burglars look for the simplest route. Ground-floor windows and doors are the most common entry points, often forced open in seconds with basic tools. Roof access is another method, especially through unsecured skylights or drainpipes.
Many offenders don’t even bring specialist tools, they make use of whatever is left on-site, from ladders to bins. When the potential rewards are high, some return with crowbars or hammers after scouting the property in advance.
Key takeaway: Burglars favour quick, low-effort methods, doors, windows, and roofs are the main weak spots they exploit.
How property owners can protect their sites
While burglary methods are often simple, prevention is most effective when it is layered. A combination of visible deterrents, physical barriers, and smart detection systems reduces the chance of being targeted and increases the likelihood of stopping an attempt in progress.
1. Property upkeep: A cared-for site looks occupied. Clear away graffiti, repair broken windows, and keep vegetation trimmed to remove hiding places.
2. Strengthen access points: Reinforce doors and windows with secure locks or steel security screens. These slow down intruders and make break-ins far less attractive.
3. Install monitored alarms: Video-verified alarms filter out false alerts and ensure fast response when a genuine intrusion occurs.
4. Use CCTV with audio challenge: Remote-monitored cameras don’t just record events. Operators can issue live voice warnings to deter intruders before entry.
5. Secure the perimeter: Security fencing, security gates, and perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDs) provide an early warning zone, keeping intruders out before they reach the building.
6. Control lighting: Motion-activated lights reduce cover and make it harder for burglars to work unnoticed.
7. Carry out a crime risk assessment: Think like a criminal before they do. Whether you’re opening a shop, storing stock in a warehouse, or running an e-commerce store, spend time identifying where opportunities exist for crime.
This could be a blind spot on the shop floor, an unattended till, or weak website security. Write each risk down and pair it with an action, from installing cameras and securing tills, to encrypting and safely storing customer data.
Key takeaway: Protecting a property in 2025 means layering defences, from upkeep and reinforced entry points to monitored alarms, CCTV, fencing, lighting, and risk assessments. The more obstacles and deterrents you combine, the less attractive your site becomes to criminals.
For more detailed advice on site management and preventative steps, see our guide: Commercial Property Security: Essential Tips to Prevent Crime
FAQs
How can burglary be prevented?
Most burglaries can be prevented by making entry difficult and risky. Reinforced doors, secure windows, visible CCTV, monitored alarms, and perimeter fencing are the strongest deterrents.
How can you prevent your business from crime?
Businesses are often targeted after hours. Layered protection such as steel doors, window shutters or grilles for accessible windows, perimeter fencing, and monitored CCTV systems reduces risk, while good lighting and staff awareness policies add extra security.
What is the biggest deterrent for burglary?
Research shows burglars avoid sites with visible, active security. The strongest deterrents are monitored CCTV with live audio challenge, alarms with police response, and reinforced entry points that take time to breach.
What precautions can business owners take to deter crime?
Keep sites well lit and maintained, secure doors and windows with commercial grade locks or steel shutters, and use monitored security systems. Limit access to tools, ladders, and bins that could aid entry.
What are the most common burglary methods in 2025?
Burglars still rely on forced doors, broken windows, or climbing onto roofs via drainpipes or unsecured skylights. Many use items left on-site to gain entry.
Does social media increase burglary risk?
Yes. Posting holiday or business closure details online signals that a property is empty. Keep travel or closure plans private until after you return.
Key Takeaways for 2025
Keep properties visibly cared for, maintenance signals occupancy.
Reinforce doors, windows, and skylights to slow intruders.
Install monitored alarms and CCTV with audio challenge.
Secure perimeters with fencing, gates, or PIDs for early warning.
Use motion-activated lighting to reduce concealment.
Avoid posting holiday or travel plans on social media until after you return.
Conclusion
Burglary remains a costly and disruptive crime in 2025, affecting both homes and businesses. While offenders continue to exploit simple weaknesses, most attempts can be deterred with visible security and well-planned protective layers.
At Propertysec, we provide practical solutions for vacant properties, construction sites, and commercial premises from steel security doors and screens to Sentinel CCTV towers, monitored alarms, and perimeter security fencing.
📞 For expert advice or a no-obligation security assessment, contact us today on 01293 804781.
