And Finally... Don't be burgled, move to errr - Preston?
Families in Preston are the least likely to be targeted by burglars - while Londoners are the most plagued by break-ins.
A study found those living in Preston are 66 per cent less likely to be burgled than the national average. But the risk of burglary in Londoners is 55 per cent greater than the average.
The capital is followed in the league table of break-in hot spots by Nottingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester and Reading.
Preston MP Mark Hendrick said the Lancashire city has a strong sense of community. But he added: "I would urge people not to become too complacent following this news - to remain vigilant and continue to take steps to safeguard their property and possessions."
Norwich and Ipswich take second and third places in the list of safest towns and cities, followed by Guildford, Swindon, Bath and Glasgow. The figures are from insurance firm Endsleigh.
They are based on analysis of hundreds of thousands of insurance claims from across the UK in the past four years.
Government figures have been showing a steady decrease in burglary rates, which critics attributed to the falling prices of the once-luxury electronic goods customarily targeted by thieves.
But the most recent quarterly crime figures show the trend has reversed with break-ins up by four per cent to December 2008.
Burglaries have increased during previous economic downturns and experts predict another rise in the coming months.
Endsleigh's Rhiannon Harris said: "Burglary rates have spiked recently and that could be a result of the recession. It is more vital than ever that homeowners take extra care when they are leaving their property for any period of time.
"Domestic burglary figures may have dropped substantially over the past decade but this period of economic gloom means there is no room for complacency."
She said the most important precautions included installing a burglar alarm and not hiding a spare key near a door.
TOP TEN SAFEST FOR THEFT
1. Preston
2. Norwich
3. Ipswich
4. Guildford
5. Swindon
6. Bath
7. Glasgow
8. Aberdeen
9. Dundee
10. Chester
TOP TEN RISKIEST FOR THEFT
1. London
2. Nottingham
3. Bristol
3. Cambridge
5. Manchester
6. Reading
7. Stockport
8. Hull
9. Leeds
10. Oxford
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Tony White
