All of our content is approved by our in-house experts
To protect your home from burglary, focus on:
- Securing doors and windows with high-quality locks
- Installing motion lights and smart security devices
- Making your home look occupied when you're away
- Keeping valuables out of sight, even when you’re home
These steps can significantly reduce the chances of your home being targeted. According to data from ONS, incidents of domestic burglary (in the UK) decreased by 22% compared with year ending December 2024, likely due to us all being a little more security savvy.
But burglary remains a real threat, and your home could be a potential treasure trove for thieves, so it's important to make sure your property is well-protected at all times.
Our LV= Home Insurance team take a look at how to burglar-proof your home, with tips on protecting your property from intruders and keeping your belongings safe.
We teamed up with Michael Fraser in this handy 70-second video: tips on how to prevent a break-in.
What attracts burglars to a home?
Burglars look for easy opportunities. Common signs that make your home vulnerable to burglary include:
Visible valuables
Items on display near windows, unwrapped electronics, or expensive goods in plain sight
Signs of an empty home
Piled-up post, uncollected deliveries, no lights on in the evening
Weak security
Flimsy locks, no alarm system, overgrown hedges providing cover
Predictable routines
Visible calendars, social media posts about holidays, bags and suitcases left in view
Accessible entry points
Unlocked sheds with tools or ladders that could help a burglar break in
Understanding what deters burglars most in the UK starts with knowing what attracts them in the first place, so here are six easy ways to burglar-proof your home…
Secure doors and locks
Security is key (excuse the pun!), so make sure all entry points are properly secured. That includes doors, windows, garages and sheds. A sturdy padlock on outbuildings is an effective deterrent, preventing burglars from accessing tools, ladders or other items that could help them break in.
Looking for extra protection? Invest in anti-snap locks, which can't easily be broken by burglars trying to force entry into your home. Always check your locks before heading out.
Install lighting and alarms
Motion detector lights and CCTV cameras are among the strongest deterrents against burglars. A well-lit property appears occupied and makes it far harder for intruders to approach unnoticed.
Joining the local neighbourhood watch can also be off-putting to burglars, because who knows who's watching?
Use smart home security
Fans of the latest tech will know there are a number of cutting-edge home security gadgets available these days. The best home security devices include:
- Motion-activated security cameras
- Smart 'peep holes' which link directly to your phone or tablet
- Smart security lighting that activates when your doorbell rings
- App-controlled lights and audio systems
Many smart home devices let you control things in your home at the touch of a button, no matter where you happen to be.
Make your home look occupied
If you're going to be away from home for a while, set up light timers to come on at times you'd usually be in. For more advice on cover while you're away, see our guide to home insurance for unoccupied property.
You can do the same for radios and TVs, so it looks like someone's home. Ask friends, family or neighbours to check on your house every now and then. Visitors help add to the pretence that someone's in.
You may also want to leave the heating on low or drain your water system to avoid freezing pipes and condensation. For tips on home maintenance during winter, check out our handy article.
Hide valuables
- Keep valuables out of sight from windows at all times
- Wrap gifts immediately so contents aren't visible
- Store high-value items upstairs, making it harder for a burglar to get away holding anything
- If you have slatted blinds, tilt them upwards rather than downwards to prevent people peering in
Cancel deliveries and protect your identity
If you have regular doorstep deliveries, remember to cancel them before you go away. A stack of untouched parcels and newspapers is a clear indication to a burglar that a house has been left empty.
Also be careful with your post. Tear up or shred envelopes and packaging before recycling them. Burglars could access your name and address after a quick rummage through your recycling, which is all they need to clone your identity.
Make sure your presents aren’t in view from a window.
How to protect your home when you're away: Our summary
Keep your plans private
Don't leave bags and suitcases in view. Keep them hidden under a bed or out of sight until you set off. Make sure your calendar can't be read by outsiders looking in.
Avoid social media giveaways
Don't post about your holiday plans publicly until you're back.
Ask someone to check in
A trusted neighbour or friend visiting regularly makes your home look occupied.
Set timers on lights and electronics
Automated routines make it appear someone is home.
Cancel regular deliveries
Nothing signals an empty home like piled-up post.
Common mistakes that lead to burglary
Avoid these common errors that can make your home an easy target:
Thinking a 'beware of the dog' sign works
Instead, it signals there's an animal moving around, meaning there may be an opportunity to enter without triggering sensor alarms or devices.
Leaving packaging outside
Boxes for expensive electronics or appliances advertise what's inside your home.
Hiding a spare key in obvious places
Under the mat or in a plant pot are the first places a burglar will check.
Neglecting side and rear access
Burglars prefer entry points that aren't visible from the street.
Not checking locks before leaving
A single unlocked window is all it takes.
What to do after a break-in
If the worst were to happen, follow these three steps:
- Call the police straight away and give them as much information as you can. Make a note of the crime reference number you're given, as you'll need this later. Sometimes the police will only provide a crime reference number by post once you've reported a loss.
- Try not to disturb anything in your home, as this may destroy valuable evidence. The police will advise you about this when you call. They will often dust around the point of entry or exit for fingerprints, so try not to touch these areas.
- Write down a list of what's been stolen and call us as soon as you can if you need to claim on your home insurance. We can give you useful information to help you deal with this unpleasant crime.
Insure your home with LV=
If your home contents insurance is with LV=, your level of cover around special occasions, like Christmas, increases by 10% to protect all the extra items you've got at home, like gifts, gadgets and decorations. LV= will even cover theft from outbuildings. For more details, see our guide to insuring your shed and contents, but please think twice before storing valuables anywhere other than locked safely in your home.
The best way to protect your home and valuables is by having an adequate and up-to-date home insurance policy that covers your property and its contents.
And remember, if you're planning a longer trip, some insurance policies may only cover your home being left empty for up to 30 days at a time (or sometimes 60). Before you make plans, check with your insurance provider that you're still covered if a break-in occurs while you're away.
Home security FAQs
The best way to protect your home and valuables is by having an adequate and up-to-date home insurance policy. If you need to make a claim, we're here to help put things right.