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Britain’s burglary capital is Dulwich in south London, a study found.

It had the highest crime rate of 61 claims per 1,000 quotes, in checks on 2million home insurance files by MoneySuperMarket.

Next was Clayhall (57.5 claims per 1,000) and Redbridge (56.7) both in East London, with London dominating the top ten.

According to analysis of two million home insurance quotes, homes outside the South East were less likely to be targeted.

Only three postcodes featured in the top 20 areas for claims - West Bromwich, Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester and Hawksworth in Leeds.

(Image: Chris Whippet/Geograph)

The study of claims made over the last five years revealed Harbury near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire was the safest place to buy a house with just 0.7 claims per 1,000 quotes in the CV33 postcode.

Read more: Burglar caught because he spat on ground in young mum's back garden before break in

The Derry postcode of BT48 in Northern Ireland was the second least likely to be hit by burglars and the SA3 area of Swansea came third.

(Image: Peter Wyatt/Geograph)

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Our findings suggest thieves favour busy urban areas where strangers are unlikely to be spotted and it’s easy to make a quick getaway.

"But leafy suburbs are also heavily targeted, with burglars following the money to affluent areas.

“The best way to avoid the emotional turmoil and financial distress associated with a burglary is to be vigilant, make a concerted effort to secure your home and put in place the safety net of appropriate contents insurance in case the worst should happen.”

(Image: David Howard/Geograph)

And Jim Maddan, chair for the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network added: “If you live in an urban area, it’s well worth exchanging a few friendly words with your neighbours, especially those who overlook your property or access points.

“If everyone makes a small amount of effort to be aware of what’s going on around them and reports any suspicious activity, it helps keep the whole community safer.

"Criminals certainly don’t want to operate where they think they might be seen.”

Top 20 burglary hotspots

SE21 South Tulse Hill & Dulwich, South London 61.2 IG5 Clayhall, Ilford, East London 57.5 IG4 Redbridge, East London 56.7 IG2 Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Aldborough Hatch, East London 53.5 N20 Whetstone district, North London 49.5 TW5 Heston, Cranford (north), Osterley (west), West London 49.2 EN4 Hadley Wood, Cockfosters, East Barnet, New Barnet, North London 48.6



(Image: David Kemp/Geograph)

N11 New Southgate district, North London 48.1 IG6 Barkingside, Hainault (south), East London 46.7 TW11 Teddington, West London 46.6 B70 West Bromwich, West Midlands 45.5 W10 North Kensington district, West London 44.9 SE24 Herne Hill & North Tulse Hill, South East London 44.4 SW14 Mortlake district, South West London 44.1



(Image: Ian S/Geograph)

M21 Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Barlow Moor, Manchester 44.0 LS5 Hawksworth, Kirkstall, West Yorkshire 43.5 IG3 Seven Kings, Goodmayes, East London 43.1 HA7 Stanmore, Queensbury, Belmont, North London 42.6 RM11 Hornchurch, Emerson Park, Ardleigh Green, Essex 42.3 MK46 Olney, Buckinghamshire 42.2

Top 20 safest areas

CV33 Harbury 0.7 BT48 Derry, Cityside, Ballynagard, Coshquin, Rosemount, The Collon, Culmore, 0.9 SA3Bishopston, Blackpill, Caswell, Clyne, Langland, Mumbles, Oystermouth, Southgate, South Gower, West Cross, 1.1 SO22 Badger Farm, Fulflood, Hursley, Littleton and Harestock, Olivers Battery, Pitt, St Cross (W), Stanmore, Weeke 1.1



(Image: Getty)

SP4 Amesbury & Durrington 1.2 BL6 Bolton, Blackrod, Horwich, Lostock, Rivington 1.3 OX10 Wallingford, Berinsfield, Cholsey, Dorchester 1.3 DD10 Montrose 1.4 NG20 Shirebrook, Market Warsop 1.4 CA13 Cockermouth, Lorton & Buttermere 1.5 IP33 Westley 1.5 SY23 Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn Fawr, Penparcau 1.5 DL17 Ferryhill, Chilton, Cornforth & Bishop Middleham 1.6 EX32 Barnstaple 1.6



(Image: Alamy)

NR18 Wymondham 1.6 DT2 Dorchester 1.7 DT9 Sherborne 1.7 KA6 Dalrymple, Hollybush, Coylton, Patna, Dalmellington, Bellsbank, Waterside, Rankinston, Drongan Mossblown, Annbank 1.7 KY5 Lochgelly 1.7 SA9 Abercraf, Cefnbrynbrain, Cwmllynfell, Cwmtwrch, Lower Cwmtwrch, Rhiwfawr, Upper Cwmtwrch, Ystalyfera, Ystradgynlais, Ystradowen 1.7

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