Front door is burglars’ favourite way in

The front door is by far the most common recorded entry point for burglars breaking into homes across Northern Ireland, new data has revealed.

Research by CompareNI.com has found that thieves used the front door to gain entry in at least 420 burglaries last year, while the back door was used in 286 break-ins. Lower rear windows were the third most popular method of entry recorded, accounting for 104 incidents.

Figures also show homeowners are most at risk of burglary between the hours of 6pm and midnight, with almost a third of home break-ins last year taking place during the evening, making it the most common time of day for criminals to strike. 

The findings come as the PSNI launches its ‘Safer Summer Together’ campaign, warning people across Northern Ireland to avoid making their homes easy targets for opportunistic thieves.*

Burglaries are particularly common during the summer months as criminals take advantage of empty houses while families are on holiday, or gain easier access as doors and windows are left open during hot weather.**

Data obtained by a Freedom of Information request to police reveals there were 1,854 residential burglaries recorded across Northern Ireland last year, with 31% happening in the evening.

Just over a quarter (26%) occurred during the day between midday and 6pm, while a further 22% took place overnight between midnight and 6am. Morning was the least likely time for homes to be targeted, with break-ins between 6am and midday accounting for 18%.

Unsurprisingly, Belfast had the highest number of burglaries with 665 incidents, a rate of 189 break-ins per 100,000 people.

Newry, Mourne and Down recorded the second worst burglary rate at 110 per 100,000 people, with Derry City and Strabane coming a close third (107).

At the other end of the scale, Mid Ulster had the lowest burglary rate at 43, followed closely by Ards and North Down (50) and Fermanagh and Omagh (51).

While the overall number of burglaries across Northern Ireland have dropped by 3% year-on-year (down from 471 in Q1 2025 compared to 455 during the same period this year), over half of the region’s 11 council areas have seen a rise in break-ins.***

Residents in Lisburn and Castlereagh saw by far the biggest increase, up by 67%. Burglaries in Fermanagh and Omagh also rose sharply by 45%, as did incidents in Mid Ulster (35%).

With these figures in mind, home insurance experts from CompareNI.com are sharing some cost-effective tips to help households stay safe and reduce the risk of burglaries.

Homeowners should be particularly vigilant against thefts from gardens during the summer months, with tools, furniture, barbecues, children’s toys and bicycles frequently left out on patios and lawns when the weather is warm.

Ian Wilson, home insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “It is quite shocking to learn that a third of break-ins in Northern Ireland happen in the evening when many people are still at home, with most thieves coming through the front door.

“The summer months create plenty of chances for burglars to strike, as homeowners leave doors and windows open for extra ventilation, or leave gates and sheds unlocked for children to play and valuable garden items used more regularly and perhaps left unsecured.  

“Making a home safer doesn’t have to break the bank – there are plenty of affordable steps that homeowners can take to make their property less attractive to burglars, such as installing deadbolt locks, solar-powered motion lights, door and window sensor alarms, or even joining the local Neighbourhood Watch. As a bonus, many of these simple measures can also help save them money on their home insurance premiums.

“Homeowners should also check their home insurance policy to make sure they have adequate contents cover in place, as many people underestimate the value of their belongings and how much it would cost to replace them.”  

Budget-friendly tips to protect your home from burglars:

1.Don’t forget the basics

Padlocks, deadbolts and window locks are simple and relatively inexpensive security measures that can deter opportunistic thieves and help reduce chances of a break-in.

2. Solar-powered motion lighting

Motion lights draw attention to any potential intruders, and when triggered can scare off burglars. Fitting solar-powered motion lighting is a great cost-effective alternative to installing hard wired lighting and can be easily moved around the property when needed.

3. Fit window and door sensors

Contact sensors are one of the most budget-friendly ways to improve home security. These battery-powered devices are easy to install on doors and windows throughout the property and will sound an alarm if someone attempts to break in.

4. Join the Neighbourhood Watch

Being part of a Neighbourhood Watch program signals to insurers that your home is in a community that actively looks out for security threats and is less likely to be broken into. It is free to join, and some insurers offer a small discount just for participating.

5. Reduce opportunities

Keeping valuable or expensive looking items out of sight is one of the easiest, most effective ways to deter burglars. Installing frosted glass or net curtains around the front door can make it harder for thieves to spot opportunities. Also, lock gardening tools, bikes and other outdoor equipment away in the shed and out of sight when not in use, especially during the summer months.

CompareNI.com can help households across Northern Ireland compare and find savings on their home insurance.

References:

*https://www.psni.police.uk/latest-news/lets-have-safer-summer-together-psni-launch-safer-summer-together-campaign

**https://blackdiamondsecurity.co.uk/why-summer-still-presents-a-high-burglary-risk-level/

***https://www.psni.police.uk/system/files/2026-06/212566618/Police%20Recorded%20Crime%20Tables%20Period%20Ending%2031st%20May%202026.xlsx

Burglaries recorded per council area in Northern Ireland

(Most recent full year)

Council area	Burglaries (2025)	Population	Rate per 100,000
Belfast	665	352,390	189
Newry, Mourne and Down	201	183,115	110
Derry City and Strabane	163	152,383	107
Mid and East Antrim	129	139,913	92
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon	179	222,511	80
Antrim and Newtownabbey	113	148,100	76
Causeway Coast and Glens	104	141,954	73
Lisburn and Castlereagh	100	151,669	66
Fermanagh and Omagh	60	117,687	51
Ards and North Down	82	165,415	50
Mid Ulster	65	152,718	43

Burglaries recorded per council area Q1 2025 vs Q1 2026

(Most recent statistics)

Council area	Q1 2025	Q1 2026	% change
Belfast	195	145	-26
Lisburn and Castlereagh	21	35	67
Ards and North Down	15	11	-27
Newry, Mourne and Down	48	44	-8
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon	42	42	0
Mid Ulster	17	23	35
Fermanagh and Omagh	11	16	45
Derry City and Strabane	40	46	15
Causeway Coast and Glens	27	35	30
Mid and East Antrim	25	30	20
Antrim and Newtownabbey	30	28	-7
Total	471	455	-3

Most recent PSNI Statistics – per time and entry;

Burglaries recorded by time frame

Time frame	2025
00:00 -05:59	417
06:00 – 11:59	338
12:00 – 17:59	474
18:00 – 23:59	583
Unknown	42

Obtained through Freedom of Information request in June 2026

Burglaries recorded by method of entry

Method of entry	2025
Door Front	420
Door Side	25
Door Rear	286
Door Other	41
Window Lower front	49
Window Lower side	10
Window Lower rear	104
Window Upper front	9
Window Upper side	2
Window Upper rear	12
Window Other	33
Other*	21
Unknown**	842

Obtained by Freedom of Information request in June 2026

*Other includes the following categories: fencing, gate, roof, wall and other.

**Unknown is where no information was provided.