New research: Police data shows educational settings are a key target for thieves

As a provider of security solutions to schools, colleges and universities, Nothing But Padlocks has carried out new research to find out how many educational settings have reported break-ins over the past five years (2021-2025).

We submitted Freedom of Information requests to all 45 police forces in the UK asking for the number of recorded burglaries and attempted burglaries at schools, sixth form and further education colleges, universities, and nurseries.

The data reveals a widespread crime wave over the past five years. While not all police forces could provide accurate statistics (due to a lack of standardised recording), the responses that we received back showed they are a clear target for thieves.

What is commonly stolen in burglaries at educational buildings?

A review of police records shows commonly stolen items from educational buildings and property include:

• Computers, tablets and televisions
• Garden equipment and plants
• Machinery and tools
• Security technology
• Food and beverages

Why do thieves target schools, colleges and universities?

Educational buildings and property are an attractive target for thieves.

They contain many valuable items such as IT and media devices, furniture, expensive tools and equipment used for maintenance, personal belongings and foodstuff for catering for a large number of staff and students.

They are also routinely empty while closed overnight and for long periods during school holidays. When open, they are busy public spaces where burglars can go unnoticed.

Educational sites can be large and have multiple entry points and storage units that all need to be secured. If there is a security weakness, opportunistic thieves can exploit it.

What security protocols and equipment should educational institutions use?

A layered security approach is key, combining physical security, technology, and procedures.

The first line of defence is access control via electronic door locks, intercom systems, key fob / swipe card systems and visitor management systems like sign-in logs and badges.

CCTV surveillance systems are now considered a baseline requirement in most educational settings, including internal and external cameras focused on entry points and high-risk zones. This acts as a deterrence and supports suspect identification when incidents occur.

Outside of opening hours, monitored intruder alarms and detection systems can reduce damage and theft by speeding up police response times.

Perimeter security measures, such as fencing and secure gates, can protect the boundaries of a site, acting as a deterrent and obstacle to would-be thieves.

For internal storage cupboards containing valuable items, an insurance-rated padlock on a master key system is recommended. For outbuildings and external storage units, ensure padlocks are weather-resistant.

Why aren't the thieves caught and brought to justice in most cases?

By their nature, burglaries are often low-visibility crimes and happen when nobody is around. Entry and exit is planned to be quick and targeted, and offenders are likely to take steps to avoid identification such as wearing gloves, plain dark clothing, and face coverings.

This means many burglary scenes lack usable forensic evidence, eyewitness testimony, and CCTV footage, making them unlikely to meet the high evidential threshold for court.

Police resources are also limited and violent crime is prioritised, leading to some burglary cases being screened out or closed quickly if there are no immediate leads, physical harm caused or items stolen.

Case study: Wales

Analysis of data provided by Wales's four police areas - North Wales, South Wales, Gwent and Dyfed-Powys – reveals there has been 668 break-in or attempted break-ins between 2021 and 2025.

That is roughly one incident every 2-3 days, although the true number could be higher.

Just 27 of these incidents (4%) resulted in a formal charge or court summons being made against the thief or thieves.

The highest number of school break-ins and attempts (153) was recorded in 2023, while reported incidents were lowest in 2025 (113) - a 26% decline. However, hundreds of schools are still targeted every year by thieves in Wales, with a significant financial impact.

South Wales

Schools, colleges and universities in South Wales have been hardest hit by burglaries and attempted burglaries in the past five years, with 221 incidents reported to the police.

Just seven of these incidents resulted in a charge or summons (3%) while in 161 cases (73%) the police cited the investigation as complete without identifiable suspects.

Burglary incidents by location:

• Cardiff: 83
• Rhondda Cynon Taff: 38
• Vale of Glamorgan: 24
• Bridgend: 23
• Neath Port Talbot: 20
• Swansea: 18
• Merthyr Tydfil: 15

Gwent

Gwent Police recorded the second-highest number of burglaries and attempted burglaries (175) between 2021 and 2025. Only 10 burglaries and attempted burglaries at educational establishments resulted in a charge or summons (6%).

Burglary incidents by location:

• Newport West: 42
• Torfaen: 30
• Newport East: 24
• Caerphilly Central: 21
• Monmouthshire: 19
• Blaenau Gwent: 17
• Caerphilly North: 12
• Caerphilly South: 8
• Newport City Centre: 2

North Wales

In the North Wales police force area, there were 146 break-ins and attempted break-ins reported at educational institutions over the past five years, 10 of which resulted in a formal charge or summons (7%).

Burglary incidents by location:

• Conwy: 39
• Flintshire: 28
• Gwynedd: 27
• Denbighshire: 24
• Wrexham: 22
• Anglesey: 6

Dyfed-Powys

The Dyfed-Powys recorded the fewest incidents in Wales, with 126 burglaries and attempted burglaries reported between 2021 and 2025.

None of the reported burglaries or attempted burglaries resulted in a charge or summons outcome, while 78 incidents were reported as investigations were completed with no identified suspect.

As the largest and most sparsely populated force area in Wales, Dyfed-Powys covers far fewer educational sites, which helps explain both the lower volume of incidents.

Burglary incidents by location:

• Carmarthenshire: 40
• Pembrokeshire: 37
• Powys: 31
• Ceredigion: 18

Case study: Yorkshire

Here are our findings for Yorkshire, covering four police force areas – West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Humberside and North Yorkshire.

Between 2021 and 2025, 1,477 incidents took place across Yorkshire. That is roughly one incident every 1.24 days or approximately every 29 hours and 40 minutes. This is roughly double the rate recorded in Wales.

Of these reported criminal offences, only 82 resulted in a formal charge or court summons being made against the thief or thieves.

2023 saw the highest number of school break-ins and attempts (371), while reported incidents were lowest in 2025 (210) - a 43% decline. However, hundreds of schools are still targeted every year by thieves in Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire schools and colleges have been hardest hit by burglaries and attempted burglaries in the past five years, with 755 incidents reported to the police (32 incidents per 100,000 residents).

According to police estimates, the value of the property stolen was over £168,000.

Just 47 of these incidents resulted in a charge or summons (6%) while in 517 cases (68%) the police cited unidentifiable suspects or evidential difficulties related to suspect IDs.

Burglary incidents by location:

• Bradford: 221
• Leeds: 220
• Kirklees: 145
• Calderdale: 87
• Wakefield: 82

South Yorkshire

While South Yorkshire police recorded fewer break-in incidents (350) between 2021 and 2025, the value of property stolen was considerably higher – estimated at over £461,500.

Only 12 burglaries and attempted burglaries at educational establishments resulted in a charge or summons (3%).

Burglary incidents by location*:

• Doncaster: 133
• Barnsley: 80
• Sheffield: 75
• Rotherham: 61

* One incident did not have a recorded district.

Humberside

In the Humberside police force area, there were 200 break-ins and attempted break-ins reported at educational institutions over the past five years - 13 of which resulted in a formal charge or summons (7%).

Analysing the property listed as stolen per incident, records suggest bicycles, garden equipment and tools, computers, iPads and laptops, as well as food items were the most targeted by thieves. In 102 cases, no items were reported as stolen.

Burglary incidents by location:

• Bridlington South and West Carr: 10
• Newington & Gipsyville: 9
• Longhill & Bilton Grange: 8
• North Carr: 8

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police has the largest policing district in the county but it has the smallest population size. Therefore, it is unsurprising the force area saw the lowest number of burglaries and attempted burglaries between 2021 and 2025 (172). However, this is still a considerable number of crimes taking place – the equivalent of one every ten days.

Ten reported burglaries or attempted burglaries resulted in a charge or summons outcome.

Burglary incidents by location:

• York: 69
• Harrogate: 28
• Selby: 25
• Scarborough & Ryedale: 23
• Hambleton & Richmondshire: 15
• Craven: 11

Methodology

A Freedom of Information request was sent to Yorkshire's four police force areas – North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Humberside and South Yorkshire – asking for recorded instances of burglaries and attempted burglaries at any type of educational institution identifiable within their crime records. This included schools, sixth form and further education colleges, SEN schools, universities, and nurseries. State or independent wasn't clarified in the request.

Responses were received in March 2026. Some cases were ongoing and therefore had no outcome to record.

Incidents per capita were calculated using latest population estimates, per 100,000 people.

The type and value of stolen items were provided where they could be identified within incident records as part of the request.