Burglary in Ireland: What the Latest Trends Tell Us About Protecting Your Home

Home security has changed considerably over the years, but one thing has remained the same: burglars will often look for the easiest opportunity.

The good news is that residential burglary in Ireland has been trending downwards. However, thousands of homes continue to be targeted every year, and recent Garda figures provide some useful insights into when burglaries happen and what homeowners can do to reduce their risk.

At ESP Security, we believe good home security isn’t about living in fear of burglary. It’s about making your property a much less attractive target.

What Do the Latest Burglary Figures Show?

According to An Garda Síochána, just over 2,600 residential burglaries were reported during the 2025/2026 winter phase of Operation Thor.

This represented a 14% reduction compared with the previous winter and was the lowest level recorded during an Operation Thor winter phase in six years.

That’s encouraging.

But the figures also reveal something important about how burglaries are occurring.

Around 78% of residential burglaries during this period took place between 6pm and 2am, with Friday and Saturday the most common days for incidents.

The Dublin Metropolitan Region accounted for 44% of all burglary incidents recorded during the Operation Thor winter phase.

For homeowners, the message isn’t that burglary is increasing everywhere. It’s that understanding when and how homes are vulnerable can help you take sensible steps to protect your property.

Many Burglaries Are Opportunistic

One of the most important things to understand about residential burglary is that a criminal doesn’t necessarily begin with one particular house in mind.

Often, they are looking for opportunity.

An unlocked door, an open window, a dark house that appears empty or easy access through a side entrance can make one property more attractive than another.

Garda crime-prevention information shows that front and rear doors account for more than half of reported burglary entry points, while unsecured doors and windows have accounted for more than a quarter of entry points.

This is why effective security isn’t based on one device. It involves creating several layers of protection around your home.

1. Use Your Burglar Alarm

Having a burglar alarm installed is only useful if you actually use it.

Make setting your alarm part of your normal routine whenever you leave the property and when appropriate while you are at home.

If you have an older alarm that hasn’t been serviced recently, have it checked.

Batteries, sensors and other components can deteriorate over time, even when the alarm appears to be functioning normally.

ESP Security installs, services and repairs burglar alarms and can also inspect systems originally installed by other security companies.

2. Consider Monitored Security

A monitored alarm can provide an additional level of protection.

Rather than relying solely on an alarm sounding at the property, monitored security provides an additional response mechanism when an alarm is activated.

For households where properties are regularly empty because of work, travel or other commitments, monitoring can provide valuable additional reassurance.

3. Use CCTV Strategically

Modern CCTV allows homeowners to keep a closer eye on key areas around their property.

But installing cameras everywhere isn’t necessarily the answer.

Good CCTV is about positioning cameras where they provide useful coverage – entrances, driveways, side access points, gardens and other potentially vulnerable areas.

Image quality is equally important. An old camera producing poor-quality footage may offer considerably less value than a correctly positioned modern CCTV system.

4. Don’t Forget Side and Rear Access

Homeowners naturally focus on their front door, but the rear of a property can provide greater privacy for somebody attempting to gain access.

Side gates should be secure and sheds and garages should also be properly locked.

Tools stored in an unsecured shed or garage aren’t only valuable themselves – they could potentially be used to help gain access to the main property.

Security should therefore be considered from the boundary of your property right through to the house itself.

5. Make an Empty Home Look Occupied

A dark house can make it obvious that nobody is home.

Timer switches, smart lighting and appropriately positioned external sensor lighting can help make a property appear occupied while also increasing visibility around entrances.

Avoid predictable signs that a property is vacant, particularly when you’re away for several days.

6. Keep Keys and Valuables Away From View

Car and house keys should not be left immediately beside doors, windows or letterboxes.

It’s also sensible to avoid keeping large amounts of cash at home and to record details of particularly valuable items.

Small changes in everyday habits can complement your alarm and CCTV systems and make your overall home security considerably stronger.

Think in Layers, Not Just Alarms

The strongest approach to home security is layered.

Good locks and secure doors provide physical protection.

Lighting makes suspicious activity more visible.

A burglar alarm provides detection and deterrence.

CCTV provides visibility and recorded footage.

Monitoring can add another level of response.

Together, these measures can make a property significantly less attractive to an opportunistic burglar.

Is Your Current Security Still Right for Your Home?

Security technology continues to develop, and a system installed many years ago may no longer provide the level of protection or convenience available today.

That doesn’t automatically mean everything needs to be replaced.

Sometimes an existing system simply needs servicing or repair. In other cases, adding CCTV, monitoring or upgrading an older alarm may provide worthwhile additional protection.

ESP Security has over 30 years’ experience providing security solutions for homes and businesses across Dublin, Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.

We provide burglar alarms, wired and wireless security systems, CCTV, monitored security, access control, intercom systems, alarm repairs and maintenance.

If you’re unsure whether your current security system is providing the protection your property needs, talk to ESP Security about reviewing your home security.

Contact ESP Security today for more information and a quote