SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Heres some useful (or useless as the case may be) information for youHouseholds in Leeds, specifically those within the postcode LS13, have more reason to fear a break-in than residents of any other part of Britain. The area has suffered the largest number of burglaries in the UK according to the latest figures, but is closely followed by parts of Bradford and London, according to analysis of 3.5 million insurance quotes. After LS13, the postcode with most likely to have experienced a robbery is BD12 within Bradford. The top spot for burglary claims in London was North Finchley (N12) coming third on the list overall. Manchester’s Eccles (M30) was in fourth place on the list. On the other hand, people living within Swansea’s SA9, Pembrokeshire’s SA62 and Cumbria’s LA14 may sleep a little easier after learning they are among the least likely to have experienced a burglary.Homeowners in these burglary “hotspots” are charged an extra 20% on average for insurance, amounting to £30 extra a year, said Moneysupermarket.com, which carried out the research. Even those who have not been a victim of burglary pay more if they live in an area with high claims because of insurers blanket approach to pricing by postcode. Hannah Jones, insurance expert at Moneysupermarket, said: “While there are clearly some areas of the country with a higher proportion of insurance claims for burglary than others, this doesn’t actually mean the area is “rife” with crime. “Thieves often specifically target areas with wealthy residents, or quieter areas where there’s not a lot of passing foot traffic, where the rewards are potentially greater and the risk of being caught in the act may be lower.”

There are quite a few up here in Moortown so I hear. The house I now live in was burgled a few times over the years, but hasn't been for a long while since I've lived here. I've also lived in Armley and Wortley...never been robbed, lol. Not that it means it doesn't always happen.

im affraid to admit i live on moorside in ls13, i didnt think it was that bad until i saw it in the daily mail today!

The topic made me think of when I was growing up in east Leeds in the late 1940's to 1950's. It was common practice not to lock doors during daytime. Neighbours (and anyone if they wanted to) could and did just pop in for a natter with Mum. We were never burgled even when the house was empty during long periods during the day. Doing such a thing probably ended by the 1960's and I would not recommend leaving doors open now!

Leodian wrote: The topic made me think of when I was growing up in east Leeds in the late 1940's to 1950's. It was common practice not to lock doors during daytime. Neighbours (and anyone if they wanted to) could and did just pop in for a natter with Mum. We were never burgled even when the house was empty during long periods during the day. Doing such a thing probably ended by the 1960's and I would not recommend leaving doors open now! Likewise Leodian, even feel a need to secure a door if only going upstairs. Sad state isn't it.

Chestnut Avenue in Hyde Park (or LS6 in general) seems to have dropped off the list, although at one time it was labelled "most burgled street in Britain" and even had the graffiti on a gable wall to announce the fact!Mind you, the above list is about insurance claims and I'm not sure how many students will have contents insurance, so that may explain the absence of that street/area from the list.    

BBc Radio Leeds were banging on about this a bit during the week, and quite disingenuously to my mind repeatedly labeled the area as just Bramley, with no mention of the other districts that fall into that postcode. Perhaps they didn't want to upset the good folk of Rodley..?Equally annoying was the response of our highly paid and recently elected "Police and Crime Commissioner" who went on record as stating that burglary is one of his top priorities...perhaps not so then for all those years he was in charge of the Police Authority?To be honest it's a nasty crime, especially if you're asleep upstairs when they do it. We've had a couple recently near us (too near) and the police response although prompt and efficient hasn't really inspired confidence that a great deal will be done to follow it up. Even they said "oh there is a lot of it about at the moment".