Garage Thefts Surge Across Britain

Recent police data reveals a concerning trend: garage thefts across Britain have been steadily increasing. Analysis of figures from 2022 to 2025 shows a 13 percent annual rise in these incidents.

Key Findings from Police Data

A significant portion – two in five – of reported garage thefts are classified as ‘unforced,’ meaning the garage door was left open, presenting an easy opportunity for criminals. Daytime is the most vulnerable period, with a peak between 9am and 10am.

Time and Seasonal Trends

Half of all garage burglaries occur during standard working hours, 9am to 5pm. The warmer months of May and June also see a spike in garage thefts, likely due to increased outdoor activity and more opportunities for opportunistic crime. Surprisingly, only 1 percent of incidents occur between 4am and 5am.

National Statistics and Regional Hotspots

The data indicates approximately 11,000 garage burglaries or thefts occur each year. West Yorkshire experienced the highest number of reported garage thefts with 5,254 incidents, equating to 215.7 incidents per 100,000 people.

This was followed by London’s Metropolitan Police and Surrey. Interestingly, while garage thefts are on the rise, reported home burglaries have decreased by around 10 percent during the same period.

Public Security Habits

A recent survey conducted by Garolla, involving over 2,000 individuals, revealed concerning security habits. A quarter of respondents admitted to leaving their garage open while gardening, a practice likely to increase with warmer weather.

Risky Behaviors

  • 12 percent routinely left their garage door open while relaxing in the garden.
  • A fifth left the garage door unlocked overnight.
  • 13 percent consistently left the internal door connecting the house to the garage unlocked at night.
  • 14 percent kept valuables visible outside the garage.

    • Preventative Measures

    Alastair Mayne, CEO of Garolla, emphasizes the importance of simple security measures, stating that even a short absence can be exploited by thieves. Experts recommend consistently closing and locking garage doors, concealing valuables from view, parking vehicles in front of the garage when not in use, and treating the connecting door to the house with the same security considerations as any other external door.

    Implementing these simple steps can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of garage theft and protect valuable belongings.