We go through life being told "it's never too late".
It's never too late to learn how to draw, pick up a new language or buy that caravan you've always secretly wanted for family holidays.
But there is one thing that can be left too late and, if it is, the consequences can be devastating. That is home security!
Sadly, all too often, families only take action to safeguard their home AFTER they have been burgled - when the damage has been done.
We hope the findings in this year's Burglary Hotspot Report will open your eyes and stop you from being included in next year's statistics!
MoneySupermarket's report, which was released in January 2018, reveals the top 20 most burgled postcodes in the UK last year.
Are you living in or near one of these unsavoury areas?
RANK | POST CODE | AREA | CONTENTS THEFT RATE (per 1,000 quotes) |
1 | GU3 | Guildford, Compton, Normandy, Woking, Pirbright | 52.31 |
2 | CB5 | Cambridge, Fen Ditton | 51.43 |
3 | B15 | Birmingham | 51.16 |
4 | M21 | Manchester | 50.37 |
5 | LS5 | Leeds | 50.15 |
6 | L16 | Liverpool | 49.49 |
7 | LS8 | Oakwood,Leeds | 47.31 |
8 | TW11 | Teddington, Hampton, Hampton Wick | 46.12 |
9 | CB4 | Cambridge, Histon and Impington, Milton | 45.83 |
10 | SW14 | Richmond | 45.17 |
11 | CM4 | Ingatestone, Margaretting, West Hanningfield, Fryerning, Margaretting Tye | 43.73 |
12 | BD14 | Clayton, West Yorkshire, Queensbury, Thornton, West Yorkshire | 43.21 |
13 | EH5 | Edinburgh | 42.1 |
14 | SK8 | Cheadle, Stockport, Heald Green | 41.59 |
15 | EN4 | Barnet | 41.55 |
16 | DA3 | Longfield, Hartley, Meopham, New Ash Green | 41.38 |
17 | IG7 | Chigwell | 41.15 |
18 | IG8 | Woodford | 41.10 |
19 | S11 | Sheffield, Ringinglow | 40.98 |
20 | TW12 | Hampton, Twickenham, Feltham, Teddington, Hampton Hill | 40.82 |
Source: MoneySuperMarket, 17/01/18
Why are those areas so popular among burglars?
Last year, London postcodes dominated 11 out of 20 spots, with Ilford taking first place! But this year, London was only featured 4 times...
Although there are still some big cities represented in the list, burglars have also been targeting some wealthy suburban areas.
One report mentioned this could be because:
Aditionally, Police response may be slower in suburban areas.
Can we predict what will happen next?
Ilford (IG4), which topped the chart last year isn't even mentioned in the top 20 burglary hotspots this year! However, its neighbouring towns, Chigwell (IG7) and Woodford (IG8), have crept into 17th and 18th place.
Which just goes to show that burglars are unpredictable and any neighbourhood can jump to first place...
So, what can you do to prevent your family from becoming part of the 2018 burglary statistics...?
Perhaps Ilford isn't mentioned this time around because the residents took action to secure their homes after being crowned Most Burgled Postcode in 2017.
But, for those families who were part of the statistics, the damage has already been done.
A burglary causes tremendous strain on families and often leaves traumatic mental side effects like anxiety, paranoia and depression.
Secure your home before it's too late...
Is your home as safe as you think it is?
Our experts put together this free home security checklist so you can tick off the security precautions you have in place. If you can't tick each box in our quick guide, your home may be vulnerable to a break in!
Click the button below to download it, and discover the weak points in your home security in 5 minutes.