Locked windows, timers for internal lights, sensors for external lights and deadlocking doors are some ways to prevent burglary at your London home. Unfortunately, though, criminals can sometimes be smart, and despite your best efforts, they may still gain entry.
According to Met Police data, there were more than 51,000 burglary offences in London from July 2025 to July 2026, a decrease of 4.3% on the prior year; however, July 2026 saw an 8.8% rise on the previous month. So homeowners need to stay vigilant and protect their property.
This guide outlines some of the ways to protect your home.
Preventing burglary summary
- Upgrade your door locks to 3-star Euro-rated cylinder locks that meet TS007 standards
- Ensure windows are locked when you are away
- Set timers for internal lights
- Install external lights with movement sensors
- Install an alarm system
- Never answer the door to people you don’t know or who don’t have ID to prove who they are
- Consider CCTV as a deterrent and also as a way to live monitor your home
Why do burglars target London homes?
Burglars are either opportunistic or thoughtful planners, and in London, with high population density, some easy escape routes and several affluent areas, homes become targets for both.
- Affluent areas: Wealthy boroughs are home to properties that may contain expensive jewellery, electronics and cash.
- Crowded neighbourhoods: Offenders can mix with crowds and slip in and out of highly populated areas without being noticed.
- Escape routes: The Victorian and Edwardian terraces found throughout the city back onto shared alleys, railways and canals, giving criminals multiple entry and exit points.
- Predictable routines: London is a huge commuter city and educational hub. Smart criminals know what properties to target and when.
- Easy entry: Some homeowners just don’t put security to the top of their priorities. Criminals take advantage by entering through open windows, unlocked doors or unsecured garden sheds.
- Delivered packages: Whilst common nationwide, a criminal spotting expensive packages at the door may also wonder what is inside.
How do burglars tend to get in?
There are three main access points that a burglar will exploit:
- Doors
- Windows
- Side, rear or shared access
Doors
The door is perhaps the easiest way for a burglar to get in, especially if it’s left unlocked. Unfortunately, some homeowners may think it’s ok to leave the door unlocked as they run to the post box, drop in on a neighbour or rush to the corner shop. A determined burglar looks for these opportunities, and either watches the street or simply tries a door on the off chance it’s unlocked.
Windows
Windows are often left open for extended periods, but this can be just as much an invitation as an unlocked door. If the windows are low-level, the burglar can quickly hop in, steal what they want, and hop out again. On a quiet London street, this could go completely unnoticed. Some windows can even be opened from the outside when they are closed and not locked.
Side, rear or shared access
Many London homes, like the Victorian and Edwardian terraces we find across the city, have side passages, shared alleyways and rear gardens that are out of sight of the main street. These areas give a burglar quick access in an unsighted spot where they can try and force a door or window without being seen. With many properties backing onto railways, canals or alleys, there is also the chance of an easier and less obvious escape.
Securing your doors
Locking your doors when you are away can reduce the chances of being burgled, but some locks are no more than a minor deterrent to some criminals. It can be worthwhile enhancing what you’ve got or upgrading altogether.
Locks and cylinders
Upgrading locks to a 3-star Euro-rated cylinder lock that meets TS007 standards can be a great preventative measure against burglary. These locks prevent burglars from using some of their most common methods of breaking into your home, including:
- Lock snapping
- Drilling
- Bumping
If upgrading is out of budget or what you have is secure enough, always remember to double-lock the door when you leave the property. Most modern London homes have a locking system that secures the door this way when you lift the handle and then turn the key.
Reinforcing the door
A weak front door gives a burglar hope that they can get in and out easily. However, some reinforcements can mean their attempts fail. Consider:
- A letterbox guard so they can’t try and hook keys or other items through the letterbox.
- Door bars such as a London bar reinforce the door frame and provide additional protection against anyone trying to force a door open.
- A lockguard. It protects the keyhole from tampering and can deter a burglar.
- Hinge bolts, or dog bolts, fit into the hinge side of the door and lock into the frame when it is closed. This stops the burglar lifting or forcing the door off its hinges.
Securing your windows
After your doors, the windows are one of the easiest access points for a burglar. Luckily, there are several things you can do that may deter any opportunistic thieves:
- Laminated glass or security film added to ground floor and other accessible windows
- For sash windows, add sash stops. They prevent windows from being opened wide enough for anyone to climb through.
- Window locks are a common sense option, but need to be used to be of benefit. Have them on all windows, especially the lower level ones.
- Consider window vibration alarms. They stick to the glass and sound an alarm if the window shakes.
Security lighting to deter burglars
Security lights can deter a burglar, as they won’t be sure if the lights are activated by you indoors or their movement outside. While many may assume it’s a motion sensor and ignore it, they could find that now they are committing a crime in clear view of onlookers.
Timers on internal lights
Internal lighting can give the impression people are at home when they are away. Set a timer to activate the lights at a designated time and a criminal won’t be able to tell if you are inside or if it’s a timer. You can control this lighting from your smartphone or by indoor timers. For managing agents in London, automatic low-energy lights for corridors, stairwells and communal areas are a worthwhile investment.
Motion sensor external lighting
Motion sensor lighting not only deters but also enables your CCTV system to capture more of what is happening. Position these on driveways, above backdoors and in garden spaces so various access points are covered. Just remember to cut back bushes and trees so the lights or any accompanying CCTV are not blocked.
Alarms and CCTV
Alarms and CCTV systems help deter a burglar, but they also provide evidence that something occurred on your property. CCTV captures the images, and the alarm marks the time the property was entered. Having one or both of these can go some way to making a criminal reconsider their plans.
Alarm systems
Consider audible alarms mounted to the front and rear of your home. Keep them high up so the burglar firstly doesn’t see them, and secondly cannot damage them.
There are a range of alarm systems you can implement:
- Monitored alarms, once activated, send an alert to an alarm company or keyholder, enabling them to check if the alarm is genuine or false.
- Unmonitored alarms sound the alarm once activated but do not go through to a receiving centre. Instead, they rely on others hearing the alarm and calling the police, or yourselves to notify someone about the activation.
- Smart alarms connect to your home wi-fi and send alerts to your phone when the system is activated. You get real-time notifications and can view a live feed to help you determine whether to call the police or a keyholder. Some smart systems can be upgraded to professional monitoring too.
CCTV
CCTV can be a great deterrent for those trying to burgle homes in London. From video doorbells to wall-mounted cameras, they can capture criminals in the act and often capture the direction they fled.
Camera systems vary; some only activate when people move past; others record continuously. In many cases, you can check the footage via your phone, but be wary of where you place the cameras. ICO guidance states that where possible, homeowners should place cameras to capture their own property only. Where this isn’t possible, data protection laws apply, and this can get complex. Speak to an accredited CCTV installer to find out what the rules are for your installation.
Boundaries, gates and outbuildings
It isn’t always about the building itself. There is plenty you can do in the front and back gardens to help enhance your home and reduce the risk of burglary.
- Have a low front boundary. Keep walls and hedges at the front of the home under one metre. It makes it harder for burglars to hide.
- Ensure side gates are secure. Whether it is one, two or three locks, make the side gate secure; if it is unlocked, a burglar can walk straight through without anyone noticing.
- Consider a gravel driveway. The crunch of the gravel outside makes it harder for a burglar to remain undetected.
- Ensure sheds are secure and move valuables indoors or to the garage if necessary.
- Have high side and rear boundaries to make access harder. Consider a lightweight trellis and some prickly plants to make entry more challenging.
Quick wins vs big upgrades
In some cases, a quick win can do just as much as a costly upgrade, but that isn’t always the case.
| Security measure | Quick win or upgrade | Cost | Effort | Deterrent value |
| Lock all doors and windows when out | Quick win | None | Low | High |
| Fit a letterbox guard | Quick win | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Setting timers on lights | Quick win | Low | Low | Moderate to high |
| Secure gates with locks or bolts | Quick win | Low | Low | High |
| Move valuables out of sheds and lock sheds | Quick win | None | Low | Moderate |
| Cut back planting blocking lights and sightlines | Quick win | None | Low | Moderate |
| Upgrade to 3-star TS007 cylinder lock | Upgrade | Medium | Medium | High |
| Reinforce the door (London bar, etc) | Upgrade | Medium | Medium | High |
| Add laminated glass or security film | Upgrade | Medium | Medium | Moderate to high |
| Install motion-sensor external lighting | Upgrade | Medium | Medium | High |
| Fit a monitored alarm system | Upgrade | High | Medium to high | High |
| Add CCTV and/or video doorbell | Upgrade | Medium to high | Medium | High |
Been burgled in London and need urgent repairs?
If your London home has been burgled or you think locks, doors or windows need upgrading, contact London Property Services. We have a team of specialists on hand 24/7 to conduct emergency burglary repairs on your London property. From locksmiths to glaziers and from carpenters to London electricians, we provide all the repairs you need to make your property safe again. Call us now on 020 7186 0270, or complete an online enquiry to document the repairs you need.