A Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request to West Yorkshire Police found there were a total of 603 burglaries at homes across the county on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve between 2020 and 2024.

The FOI was submitted by the window blinds company Hillarys .

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Its research showed there were 6,134 burglaries on the most festive days of the year across the whole of the UK between 2020 and 2024.

John Foster, home security expert and exterior installation and service manager at Hillarys, explained how to reduce the risk of burglaries.

He said: “Ensuring your home is secure is pivotal all year round, but especially important during the festive season, where we see an uptick in burglaries and an increased rate of parcel theft.

“Some easy tips for keeping your home and items secure include:

“Lock doors and windows, and keep them covered. Always double-check key entry points, even when you are at home. Avoid keeping presents in view of windows, and close your blinds to keep people from scouting for easy wins.

“Secure sheds and garages. Locks and safety measures can include garage doors accredited by Secured by Design, such as the Ultra 77. Secured by Design is a police-backed scheme that tests products to stringent security standards, ensuring stronger materials and anti-tamper features are built in.

“Install security cameras or a doorbell camera. A camera can deter opportunistic thieves and provide useful footage to share with both police and retailers if something goes wrong. They will also alert you when a parcel arrives and allow you to speak to couriers directly to advise them on a safe spot to leave the parcel until you’re home.

“Use parcel lockers or collection points. If you are away from home, use a collection point or locker to ensure no items are left unattended and avoid having to stay in so that you don’t miss packages. If possible, require a signature for deliveries to prevent items from being left unattended.

“Choose a safe place option. Many delivery services allow you to specify where they can leave a package if you are not home, including with neighbours, in sheds, in lock boxes, and even to not leave a delivery on the doorstep.”