WILTSHIRE has some of the lowest burglary rates in the UK, according to research from regulated property buyers Good Move and the Office for National Statistics.

With Christmas fast approaching, Google search data reveals that burglary related searches peaked throughout November and December 2019.

Beth Turner, on behalf of Good Move, said: "Burglary and overall crime rates are a huge contributing factor to where we choose to live.

"Wiltshire is ranked 4th for the lowest burglary rates in the UK, while Dyfed-Powys, Devon and Cornwall and Norfolk are the safest areas in the UK based on theft and burglary rates. "Wiltshire and Staffordshire have the lowest burglary offences and Cumbria and North Yorkshire have the lowest theft rates in the UK.

"London, Cleveland, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Humberside were the five regions that both marked the highest for the amount of theft and burglaries in the UK, making them the least safe areas in the UK."

Google data reveals that searches in the UK for burglar alarms jumped by 144 per cent and queries for keep home safe increased by 120 per cent from early November to mid-December 2019.

Searches for burglaries near me attracted the highest amount of searches from November 24-30, and again after Christmas, while people were looking for safety alarms more from November 17-23 and December 8-14 than any other time in 2019.

Spikes in searches for burglary prevention also peaked between December 8 and 21.

The areas with the highest theft offences (rate per 1,000 people), are:

1. London (51)

2. Cleveland (41)

3. West Yorkshire (39)

4. South Yorkshire (38)

5. Humberside (35)

At the other end of the scale, the areas with the lowest theft offences, (rate per 1,000 people), are:

1. Dyfed-Powys (15)

2. Devon and Cornwall (15)

3. Cumbria (18)

4. Norfolk (19)

5. North Yorkshire (20)

Looking at burglary rates, the areas with the highest burglary offences (rate per 1,000 people), are:

1. South Yorkshire (10)

2. West Yorkshire (9)

3. Cleveland (9)

4. London (9)

5. Humberside (9)

The areas with the lowest burglary offences, (rate per 1,000 people), are:

1. Devon and Cornwall (3)

2. Dyfed-Powys (3)

3. Norfolk (4)

4. Wiltshire (4)

5. Staffordshire (4)

If you’re worried about theft or burglaries this festive period, Good Move managing director for Safe, Anthony Neary, suggests:

1. Be vigilant

Being vigilant and not letting your guard down across winter is key. It’s easy to become relaxed when working from home as people assume that their property is naturally protected because they are in it. Be sure to look out for any suspicious activity whether it is day or night. If you feel action needs to be taken, don’t hesitate to report it to the police.

2. Home security systems

Invest in home security systems for peace of mind. Our recent survey that revealed 68 per cent of people in Britain don’t even have a standard burglar alarm fitted. Adding an alarm, CCTV or security lighting could be the difference between being burgled and not.

3. Join or start up neighbour watch groups in your area.

Whether it’s a Facebook group, email thread or weekly meet up, keep people informed with any suspicious activity and share any CCTV footage to keep the area alert. It’s important to pull together and make the properties on your street difficult for burglars to break in to.

Mr Nima said: “When looking to move home, there are many important factors to consider, and crime rates are one of the most important things to think about when you’re moving your family to a new area.

"It’s upsetting to see how much searches for ways to prevent burglaries soared throughout November and December 2019, and it shouldn’t be the case.

“Hopefully our research will help those looking to move to a new area to see the different theft and burglary rates across the UK, and for anyone living in the least safe areas to find ways to prepare and protect themselves against theft and burglaries this festive season.”