Britain's break-in capital is revealed - as 92% of country's burglaries go UNSOLVED

Britain's break-in capital is revealed - as 92% of country's burglaries go UNSOLVED
WATCH: Ex-Met detective Peter Bleksley reacts to reports 92% of Britain's burglaries go unsolved |

GB NEWS

Dan McDonald

By Dan McDonald


Published: 30/03/2026

- 00:14

Updated: 30/03/2026

- 02:10

Almost 250,000 burglary offences were recorded across England and Wales last year alone

British police left 92 per cent of burglaries unsolved in 2025, fresh data has revealed.

Across a third of neighbourhoods in England and Wales, not a single break-in was solved, an investigation by The Sun has found.


Fewer than one in 100 mobile phone thefts, meanwhile, led to a suspect being charged.

In figures which have been branded "totally unacceptable" by the Shadow Home Secretary, 92 per cent of around 200,000 completed burglary investigations were closed without a resolution.

From 184,783 cases finalised in 2025, roughly 143,000 were shut without a suspect being identified - the equivalent of 393 cases a day.

A further 27,500 cases identified a suspect but failed to lead to a prosecution.

In just 400 cases, police decided further action was "not in the public interest".

Chris Philp

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the figures as 'totally unacceptable'

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PA

The true figure could be higher still, with around 45,000 investigations ongoing - many of which are expected to close without result.

Half of all unsolved cases were closed within a month of being reported, suggesting tens of thousands of burglaries received only minimal police attention.

And around the country, Colindale in north London was revealed as Britain's break-in capital - with 131 burglaries investigated and none solved.

Seven of the 10 worst-affected areas were in London, including Totteridge and Woodside, Abbey Road, Cockfosters, Maida Vale and New Cross.

New Scotland Yard sign

Seven of the 10 worst-affected areas were in the capital

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PA

Elsewhere, parts of Basingstoke in Hampshire saw no cases solved, while northern Stevenage recorded 78 burglaries with zero resolved.

Nationally, 1,528 of 4,536 neighbourhoods with recorded burglaries saw no convictions at all - around 34 per cent.

Leeds was the worst-hit overall, with 4,414 burglaries across four neighbourhoods but just 248 resolved.

Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley told GB News the numbers were evidence of an "appalling" situation in Britain.

"It's not only burglary, but knife crime, shoplifting, so much more," he said. "We slide ever ever more rapidly towards lawless Britain."

Burglar breaking into home

Leeds was the worst-hit overall, with 4,414 burglaries across four neighbourhoods

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GETTY

Burglary is "a deeply, deeply invasive crime", Mr Bleksley added.

"I knew burglary victims who simply could never return to their homes. That's how much it had an impact on them. Remember that great phrase: An Englishman's home is his castle. When it's violated... it leaves a lasting, lasting scar from which some people simply never recover."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Our major police reforms will see a new National Police Service take on national responsibilities so local forces can focus on local crimes like burglary.

“By the spring, an additional 3,000 neighbourhood officers will be back where they belong, on the beat, fighting crime and catching ­criminals in our communities.”