Unlocked Doors: A Burglar’s Best Opportunity

Many people think burglars always “break in” by smashing a window or picking a lock, but often intruders don’t have to break anything at all – unlocked doors are a big part of the problem. Recent research in the UK reveals some startling facts and figures:

Most Burglars Walk Through a Door

According to ONS data, 76% of burglars enter the home through a door, and in almost a quarter of those cases the door was unlocked. In other words, roughly 1 in 4 burglaries involving door entry happened because someone left a door open or forgot to lock it – literally opening the door to the criminal.

Many People Admit to Not Locking Up

An Aviva home security survey found 26% of UK residents do not lock their doors when they’re at home, giving opportunistic thieves easy access. Alarmingly, even among those who have been burglary victims before, 37% said they still sometimes leave their door unlocked – showing that even experience doesn’t always lead to consistent habits.

Windows Are Left Unlocked Too

ONS reports that about 20% of break-ins occur through a window, and Aviva found 45% of people leave windows unlocked while at home. Burglars can and do check for open windows just like doors. It’s an easy entry point, especially on the ground floor.

Elderly Households Are Particularly Vulnerable

Older adults are often targets for “walk-in” burglaries. One security survey found that those aged 55 and over were the most likely age group to have experienced a home break-in – about 22.7% have been victims. Criminals perceive seniors as easier targets and may even talk their way inside without force if a trusting elderly person opens an unlocked door. This makes it especially critical for seniors to keep doors locked.