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Six tips on home burglary prevention

Your home is your sanctuary, your castle, your retreat, a place where you should feel safest. Whether you are planning a staycation, or travelling abroad, it’s important to ensure your home is secure all year round to prevent theft of your precious art, jewellery, vehicles and other valuables.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) year ending (YE) March 2026, the police recorded 1.6 million thefts. There were 312,250 vehicle related offences and 223,456 residential and non-residential offences during this period.1

Against this backdrop, it is important to take all precautions to prevent a burglary and avoid being a victim of a break-in or vehicle theft. Make your home as secure as possible.

How to prevent burglaries

Taking some simple steps to keep your property safe can be the biggest deterrent to burglars.

1. Install an alarm system

With smartphone-controlled security systems now widely available, homeowners have more ways to protect their properties, including exterior and interior cameras, video and ring doorbells and alarm systems that can be monitored professionally or by the homeowner.

Learn more about how to enhance your home security.

2. Secure your home and cars

Lock doors, windows and your cars. A burglar will potentially be deterred by a locked house or car, but if unlocked it makes it easy to enter. An unlocked car with a garage door opener gives access to both the car and the house.

Do not leave house or car keys in the car. Do not leave house keys hidden in obvious places, such as under doormats, in flowerpots, in letterboxes or near the front door. Keep jewellery and and securely stored in your home. To ensure you have the right cover in place for all valuables read more about our appraisal service.

3. Install lighting around the exterior

Lighting is a first line deterrent. Have exterior lighting on a timer or motion activated. Interior lighting should also be placed on timers to make it look like someone is at home. 

4. Notify neighbours if you will be away

Have a neighbour or keyholder take in any post and parcels and check on the house while you are away. Don’t share travel plans or household schedules with anyone who doesn’t need to know and do not share travel plans on social media.

5. Lock all doors and windows

Install quality doors and hardware with a deadbolt. Do not obscure the front door with heavy landscaping, cut back growth from windows to eliminate hiding places.

6. Consider a vulnerability assessment

Get in touch with a security firm for more advanced steps like a professionally monitored security system with cameras, installing secure gates to provide higher levels of protection or storing your valuables in a high-security safe.

For those looking to protect artwork, jewellery or other high-value possessions, Chubb Masterpiece offers cover designed to help ensure the right protection is in place. For further information on high value home and contents insurance, click here.

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