Almost two in three burglaries are not fully investigated by police, it was reported last night.

Even though more than 400,000 burglaries were reported last year, 64 per cent were closed with no suspect identified, according to figures obtained by the Daily Telegraph.

Official data showed 127,617 burglary investigations were abandoned in England and Wales in 2017, an increase of more than 35,000 from 2014.

While the number of unsolved burglaries was 47 per cent in 2016, the number rose by 17 per cent over next 12 months.

Almost two in three burglaries are not fully investigated by police, it has been revealed. File image used

Of the reports that resulted in a proper police investigation, just six per cent ended in prosecution, the paper reported.

Some investigations are closed or abandoned because of a lack of evidence, such as CCTV footage.

But some police forces will now only speak to burglary victims over the phone, while many simply tell victims that there is not enough resources to investigate.

It comes after Leicestershire Police were accused of ignoring burglaries at odd-numbered houses in 2015.

Victim support groups criticised the figures and said more needs to be done to put victims' minds at ease.

Diana Fawcett, of charity Victim Support, told the Daily Telegraph: 'Burglary not only robs victims of their physical possessions – it can also rob people of their sense of security at home, a place where everyone should feel most safe.

'It's vitally important that all reports of burglary are taken seriously and that victims have access to the support they need to help them cope and recover.'

Victims' commissioner Baroness Newlove also told the paper police could not blame low investigation rates on budget cuts.

She said: 'Victims want to feel supported, especially by those who are there to protect them.'