According to police data, ground-floor and basement flats are 48% more likely to be burgled than others.
This could be related to the fact that the majority of burglaries are opportunistic.
However, this doesn’t mean that there’s nothing that can be done to improve the safety of ground-floor flats.
Why ground-floor flats are less safe
Ground-floor flats are generally considered less safe due to their relatively easy access.
Burglars or other people forcing an entry are most likely to choose a flat on the ground floor because it takes them less time to get in and out.
It’s also easier to break into a ground-floor flat through the window. Ladders or climbing aren’t needed, and passersby are less likely to see the forced entry (trees or fences may conceal the criminal).
As a result of this, ground-floor flats are be harder to sell.
Ground-floor flat safety factors
There are ways to make ground-floor flats safer (see below).
Besides the presence or absence of these, other factors include:
- Your location: Different regions and areas within towns and cities have varying average crime rates
- Time of day: Burglaries happen most often (31%) between the hours of 11 am – 5 pm, when homes are more likely to be empty
- Occupancy: Flats that are empty for short-term reasons (due to holidays, work trips, short hospital stays, etc.) or long-term reasons (owners in care, extended travel, etc.) are more likely to be targeted. They are also at higher risk of squatters.
- Presence of neighbours: Burglars are often put off by the visible presence of neighbours.
- Presence of a dog: Some US studies have found that dogs in properties are likely to reduce the chances of forced entry. It’s likely (but not definitively proven) that the same applies to dogs in UK flats.
Ways to make a ground-floor flat safer
Window protectors
Bars on your window may not be aesthetically appealing, but they can be highly functional.
The best ones stop burglars from breaking in via the windows.
However, it’s worth noting that they also make it harder for you to exit the flat, which brings serious safety risks.
Overall building security
The ease of access to the building is another factor.
For example, whether a key or a code is needed to access the shared entrance of the flat.
If you are a freeholder for the flat, you can implement measures that improve ground-floor security yourself.
If not, you should discuss this with the leaseholder.
Cameras
Many homeowners consider cameras to be effective deterrents against crime.
They increase the likelihood of criminals being caught (especially ring doorbells, which provide live updates) and provide evidence to the police.
