Police fail to solve burglary in half of neighbourhoods in last three years, as offence effectively 'decriminalised'

5 June 2023, 16:24

Police have not solved a burglary in three years in nearly half of neighbourhoods in England and Wales
Police have not solved a burglary in three years in nearly half of neighbourhoods in England and Wales. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Police have not solved a single burglary in nearly half the neighbourhoods in England and Wales in the past three years, analysis shows.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

In just over 48% of 30,100 neighbourhoods, no burglaries were solved in the three years ending in March 2023, the Telegraph reported.

The shocking figure prompted a warning that the consequences for breaking into and robbing someone's home have effectively disappeared in much of the country.

Rick Muir, director at the Police Foundation, Britain’s independent police think tank, said: "It is fair to say that in some parts of the country, there are some crime types – in this case, burglary – that have become decriminalised because there is absolutely no consequence to committing the crime."

A neighbourhood is classified as containing about 1,500 people or 650 households. Some 14,505 of 30,100 had no burglaries solved over the three years. Out of those, 7,776 had ten or more unsolved burglaries.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Police officer 'worried and disappointed' by Braverman's plans to cut wasted police time

In each of the three worst neighbourhoods in Hampshire, south Yorkshire and south-east London, over 80 burglaries remained unsolved over the three-year period.

Lyndhurst and Minstead in the New Forest had 84, Balby Carr in Doncaster had 83, and Greenwich Town and Park in London had 82,

Meanwhile national charging rates for burglary have plummeted to 3.9% in 2022 from 6.7% in 2016.

One victim of burglary in Doncaster said he couldn't get police to come out even as robbers were threatening him and his son with the crowbars they had used to break in.

Crime correspondent on police decision not to respond to mental health

Rodney Broad said: "I rang 999 but was told to ring 101 since they had left the premises."

The cigarettes the burglars took - worth £10,000 - were recovered, but the criminals caused £2,500 of damage and were never caught.

Mr Broad added: “It took 40 minutes to get through on the 101 number and the police did not turn up for more than an hour.

"Thirty hours later I had still heard nothing back from them despite ringing three times. If they turned up when they should have done they would have caught them. I am grossly disappointed. They are just shocking. I would rate their response as one out of ten.

"When you dial 999 you expect an immediate response - especially when they are still on site threatening us with the crowbars they had used to jemmy open the cigarette cases. They never contacted us once. There were no updates. I have absolutely no confidence in the police.

Read more: Free to burgle: Fury as police solve only one in 20 cases

Read more: 'Disgraceful': Cops blasted after dropping more than 1 million unsolved burglaries and thefts

Police responding to a burglary in Bristol
Police responding to a burglary in Bristol. Picture: Getty

"I would think twice about ringing 999 because it falls on deaf ears and you might as well take the law into your own hands because the police will not help you one iota."

Deputy Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for burglary, defended the police's record, noting that the number of burglaries was at an all-time low.

He added: "We will continue to prioritise preventing these offences, targeting repeat offenders and organised crime groups and solving as many burglaries as we can."

Read more: Woman stabbed to death in broad daylight on Manchester street named as 'amazing' grandmother, 51

Read more: Police promise to attend 'every home burglary' in England and Wales

"All forces are now able to fulfil the commitment made last year by police chiefs to attend all residential burglaries. Many forces have dedicated burglary teams to identify links between burglaries and find the evidence that enables offenders to be charged."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Home Secretary has already made clear to police chiefs that forces should attend all domestic burglaries and expects them to deliver on their pledge to do this, backed by an additional 20,000 police officers."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Liverpool parade: LBC callers share eyewitness accounts

Liverpool parade: LBC callers share eyewitness accounts

A woman with a shopping trolley full of groceries in a supermarket aisle on May 22, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.

Food prices increase for fourth month in a row as customers warned of ‘more difficult times ahead’

Resident doctors in England start receiving ballots for industrial action

Resident doctors across England receive ballots for industrial action following 4 per cent pay rise

Police officers cover with an inflatable tent, behind a firefighter vehicle, the tents delimiting the scene of an incident in Water Street.

Four children among 47 people injured after car ploughs into crowds at Liverpool victory parade

Ministers have promised a total of 120,000 new training opportunities for construction workers, engineers, healthcare staff and other trades in England before the next general election

Government unveils 120,000 new training places to boost skills and curb migration

The incident occurred on Water Street, close to the Royal Liver Building, where thousands of fans had gathered to celebrate Liverpool’s successful season.

World of football unites in support of Liverpool after driver crashes into fans at trophy parade, injuring 47

Dave Kitchin, head of North West Ambulance Service, said 27 patients were taken to hospital including four children

Four children among dozens injured after car slams into Liverpool victory parade as police rule out terrorism

The Volkswagen logo stands illuminated on an administrative building at the Volkswagen factory and company headquarters near an employee parking lot on October 21, 2015 in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen execs jailed for fraud decade after infamous Dieselgate emissions scandal

Brave competitors sprinted, tripped and tumbled down Cooper's Hill in Brockworth to try and win the 8lb double Gloucester.

Daredevils tumble downhill in death-defying cheese rolling race in Gloucestershire

Police and emergency personnel deal with an incident near the Liver Building during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool, England, Monday, May 26, 2025.

‘It was horrendous. So horrendous’ - Eyewitness describes scene after car ploughs into crowd at Liverpool parade

John Woeltz, 37, had reportedly subjected his 28-year-old victim to over two weeks of brutal abuse in a luxury SoHo apartment.

Crypto boss arrested in New York after tourist held and tortured in Soho penthouse

Police and emergency personnel dealing with an incident after a car ploughed into fans celebrating Liverpool's Premier league triumph

Several injured after car ploughs into celebrating fans during Liverpool victory parade as man arrested

The meal deal, a combination of a sandwich, snack and drink, has been a staple for UK workers for decades.

Best value supermarket meal deals revealed - as cost of lunch deals continues to creep up

Skydiver Jade Damarell, who is feared to have taken her own life in a 10,000ft fall

Skydiver thought to have 'deliberately' jumped to her death 'split with boyfriend the day before'

Liverpool fans watch on as the team bus approaches during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool.

Thousands of football fans gather in Liverpool and London to watch victory parades

Representatives of the Palestinian militant group have reportedly reached a deal with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, after negotiations in Doha, Qatar.

Hamas 'agrees to US proposal for Gaza ceasefire' after Israeli strikes kill at least 54 in Gaza