Market Data
Burglary risk in the UK reaches its highest level during winter. Between December and February 2024, police recorded 61,005 break-ins, more than in any other season. January stands out as the most risky month, with shorter daylight hours and new Christmas purchases making homes more appealing targets.
Even though home security tools such as video doorbells and CCTV systems are now widely available, many households still fail to take basic precautions. Common gaps include outdated locks, poor outdoor lighting, and leaving valuables visible from outside.
To understand where homeowners are most alert to these risks, Swift Direct Blinds analysed national search data. The study highlights which towns and cities show the strongest interest in home security products and which areas appear least engaged.
The UK’s most security-conscious areas
“Bedford tops the list as the UK’s most safety-minded area,” said Kate O’Brien, interior expert at Swift Blinds, commenting on the study. “With 17.07 searches per 100 people for home security last year, Bedford scored 89.15 out of 100 in our dataset – more than six times higher than the lowest-ranked town.”
“Bolton comes in second, with 16.7 searches per 100 residents for home security, and an index score of 87.61,” Kate added. “Greater Manchester features heavily in the top ten, but Bolton leads the way.”
“Another Greater Manchester location, Rochdale, also makes the podium, with 13.72 home security searches per 100 people and a score of 76.71. It’s clear that smaller northern towns are showing strong interest in home security.”
Where is least vigilant?
“At the other end of the scale, Nottingham ranks lowest with fewer than one search for home security per 100 people, just 0.99, giving it a score of 13.24,” Kate explained.
“Cambridge follows closely behind with 1.5 searches per 100 residents and a score of 13.26, while Brighton ranks third lowest at 13.41.”
Despite fewer burglary threats, smaller towns are often more concerned about privacy.
Kate said, “Interestingly, smaller towns like Bedford and Bolton are outranking major crime hotspots such as London in search interest for home security measures. Meanwhile, larger northern cities like Manchester (2.89 searches per 100 people) and Liverpool (4.43) show a surprising lack of concern.”
Tips for improving your home security
“To keep your home as safe as possible, make sure you minimise the risk of break-ins with lockable windows and secure, sturdy doors,” advises Kate. “While measures like video doorbells and CCTV are handy for monitoring risks, adding features to prevent intruders will ensure these systems can’t be easily bypassed.”
“Shutters and blinds can also play a key role in protecting your home. They can obscure the vision of potential intruders and block access to entry points. With a variety of shutters and blinds available to suit windows of every shape and size, it’s easy to stop thieves from gaining critical data on your home.”
More details are available at swiftdirectblinds.co.uk/inspiration/how-the-uk-stays-safe-at-home/.
