Birmingham has been identified as one of the worst areas for burglary in England, according to the latest Home Office data. The city recorded 13 break-ins per 1,000 households in 2025, placing it in the top 10 for burglary rates across England and Wales.
Burglary Rates Adjusted for Population
The data adjusts for population to provide a crime rate per 1,000 households, offering a clearer picture of areas with particular problems rather than just total offences, which are dominated by larger cities. Birmingham's rate places it just inside the top 10 worst areas, with Middlesbrough topping the list as the burglary capital, followed by Bradford, Westminster, and Hull.
In terms of total burglaries, Birmingham ranked highest outside London, reflecting the scale of the issue in the West Midlands region.
National Trends Show Decline
Overall, residential burglaries have been falling across England and Wales. There were 154,000 home break-ins and attempted break-ins in 2025, down 11% from the previous year and 20% lower than in 2022. Despite this decline, the charge rate remains low, with only 5% of recorded residential burglaries resulting in a charge. An additional 7% of cases are still under investigation, which may increase the final charge rate.
Charge rates vary significantly by police force area. South Wales recorded the highest charge rate, with approximately one in eight cases (12%) leading to a charge, while Hertfordshire had the lowest at 2%.
Urban Areas More Affected
Figures show that burglars are more likely to target urban, built-up areas than rural communities. Families in parts of the urban “left behind” north are far more likely to be burgled than wealthy households in affluent rural areas, according to the data.
West Midlands Police officers continue to patrol streets in Birmingham, as the city grapples with its burglary problem. The force's charge rate for burglary is not specified in the latest data, but the national average remains low.
