About 1.4 million burglaries occurred in 2017, and more than two in three break-ins were of residential properties, according to FBI data.
Cove, a home security firm, surveyed nearly 1,000 people who have experienced a break-in at least once to learn more about how burglars entered the home and what they wished they had done in hindsight to better protect their property.
Home invasions aren’t always random. Studies show that many break-ins are committed by a person who lives within two miles of the property.
A broken window tended to be the most common point of entry for a burglar. The following chart breaks down how burglars most often gained access to a home.
The average dollar value of stolen items from a break-in was $1,839.55, according to the study. Respondents say they were able to recover an average of about 22% of the items stolen during their break-ins.
“Research conducted with convicted home invaders shows burglars typically avoid breaking into homes they consider more complicated,” researchers note. “While an active alarm system is likely to deter a break-in, so are big dogs that might be considered aggressive or likely to defend the home.”
Source: “Break-In Hindsight,” Covesmart.com (July 2019)
