Police data shows a 13% annual increase in garage thefts from 2022-2025, with many occurring due to unsecured doors. West Yorkshire is the worst affected area. Simple security measures can significantly reduce risk.
Recent police force data reveals a concerning trend: garage theft s across Britain have been steadily increasing. Analysis of figures from 2022 to 2025 shows a 13 percent annual rise in these incidents.
A significant portion – two in five – of reported garage thefts are classified as 'unforced,' meaning the garage door was left open, presenting an easy opportunity for criminals. Daytime is the most vulnerable period, with a peak between 9am and 10am, and half of all garage burglaries occurring during standard working hours, 9am to 5pm.
The warmer months of May and June also see a spike in garage thefts, likely due to increased outdoor activity and more opportunities for opportunistic crime. Surprisingly, very few incidents – only 1 percent – occur between 4am and 5am. The data indicates approximately 11,000 garage burglaries or thefts occur each year. Alastair Mayne, CEO of Garolla, emphasizes the importance of simple security measures, stating that even a short absence can be exploited by thieves.
He highlights that over 40 percent of garage burglaries involve no forced entry, demonstrating the effectiveness of basic precautions like keeping doors locked and being mindful of routines. Interestingly, while garage thefts are on the rise, reported home burglaries have decreased by around 10 percent during the same period. West Yorkshire experienced the highest number of reported garage thefts with 5,254 incidents, equating to 215.7 incidents per 100,000 people, followed by London’s Metropolitan Police and Surrey.
A recent survey conducted by Garolla, involving over 2,000 individuals, revealed concerning security habits. A quarter of respondents admitted to leaving their garage open while gardening, a practice likely to increase with warmer weather. Twelve percent routinely left their garage door open while relaxing in the garden, and a fifth left the garage door unlocked overnight.
Furthermore, 13 percent consistently left the internal door connecting the house to the garage unlocked at night, and 14 percent kept valuables visible outside the garage. To mitigate these risks, experts recommend consistently closing and locking garage doors, concealing valuables from view, parking vehicles in front of the garage when not in use, and treating the connecting door to the house with the same security considerations as any other external door.
Implementing these simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of garage theft and protect valuable belongings
Garage Theft Burglary Home Security Crime Statistics Police Data
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