Barnet, Haringey, and Enfield consistently rank among the London boroughs with the highest burglary risk, alongside Kensington & Chelsea, Camden, and Islington. North London homeowners face elevated risk, which is why professionally installed, monitored alarm and CCTV systems remain the most effective deterrent for homes and businesses in these areas.
Which London Boroughs Have the Highest Burglary Risk?
According to Metropolitan Police data referenced in ITV News reporting, Barnet has topped the list of London boroughs most affected by residential burglary, with Haringey and Enfield immediately behind it. The top ten, based on the reported rankings, is set out below.
Important note on data: The figures in the table below are drawn from the Metropolitan Police Service. The ranking order reflects the period of the original study. For live figures, the MPS crime dashboard is updated quarterly.
| Rank | Borough | Part of London |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnet | North |
| 2 | Haringey | North |
| 3 | Enfield | North |
| 4 | Kensington & Chelsea | Central and West |
| 5 | Camden | North and Central |
| 6 | Islington | North |
| 7 | Brent | North and West |
| 8 | Harrow | North and West |
| 9 | Hammersmith & Fulham | West |
| 10 | Westminster | Central |
Why North London Boroughs Dominate the Burglary Risk List
Seven of the top ten boroughs sit in North or Central London. Several factors drive this. The density of Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing, typical across Barnet, Haringey, and Enfield, offers burglars multiple potential entry points at rear gardens and side returns. Many homes back onto railway lines, canal paths, or shared alleys that provide quiet access and escape routes.
Affluent pockets within these boroughs contain a high concentration of jewellery, electronics, and high-value vehicles worth targeting. Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster appear in the top ten for similar reasons, despite their very different architecture: high property values and periods of seasonal vacancy during which homes are left unoccupied.
How Burglary Risk Is Measured
Burglary risk is normally expressed as the number of recorded burglaries per 1,000 residents over a twelve-month period. The rate matters more than the raw count, because larger boroughs will always record more total offences. The Metropolitan Police publishes rolling figures on the MPS crime dashboard, and the Office for National Statistics publishes comparable national figures through the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
How to Reduce Your Burglary Risk in a High-Risk London Borough
A layered approach works best. No single measure is a complete solution, but combining a certified alarm, visible CCTV, and sensible habits makes a property a significantly harder target than its neighbours.
- Fit an NSI NACOSS Gold-certified intruder alarm with professional monitoring.
- Install home CCTV covering the front entry, side access, rear garden, and any outbuildings.
- Add a door intercom or video doorbell so callers can be vetted without the door being opened.
- Check that external doors are fitted with BS 3621 certified locks, and that windows have key-operated locks.
- Use timed internal lighting when the property is unoccupied.
- Service your alarm and CCTV annually to confirm sensors, cameras, and storage are working correctly.
Areas Third Eye Installation Systems Cover
We have been installing and servicing systems across N5, N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N17, N21, NW5, NW7, and WD25, covering Barnet, Haringey, Enfield, Camden, Islington, and the surrounding North London boroughs.
Third Eye Installation Systems is NSI NACOSS approved to Gold standard, the highest accreditation issued by the National Security Inspectorate. Our engineers are fully trained and security vetted. We install and maintain home security systems and business security systems, including intruder alarms, CCTV, door intercoms, access control, and fire alarms across London.
Contact us to discuss a quotation for your home or business.
FAQs
1. Which London borough has the highest burglary risk?
Metropolitan Police data referenced in ITV News reporting places Barnet at the top, followed by Haringey and Enfield.
2. Are North London boroughs more at risk of burglary than South London?
North London boroughs, particularly Barnet, Haringey, Enfield, Camden, and Islington, consistently appear in the top ten. Central and West London boroughs such as Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster also rank highly.
3. What time of year are burglaries most common in London?
Burglaries typically peak during the darker months between October and January, when early nightfall and seasonal travel increase opportunity.
4. What is an NSI NACOSS Gold-approved alarm installer?
NSI Gold is the highest accreditation issued by the National Security Inspectorate, covering both installation quality and the management systems of the installing company. Most insurers and police response schemes require it.
5. Will the police respond to my burglar alarm?
Police response in London requires the alarm to be monitored by an NSI or SSAIB-approved Alarm Receiving Centre. Unmonitored DIY alarms do not qualify for automatic response.
6. What does a professionally installed burglar alarm cost in London?
Costs vary with property size, the number of sensors required, and whether the system is monitored. For an accurate quotation, contact Third Eye Installation Systems on 0208 368 1080.
7. Which postcodes does Third Eye Installation Systems cover?
Third Eye Installation Systems covers North London and the surrounding area, including N5, N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N17, N21, NW5, NW7, and WD25.