Bristol is one of the worst places for home burglaries in the UK, according to a report released today.

Endsleigh Insurance has named Bristol joint third in its league table of “riskiest towns and cities for burglaries”.

The table was drawn up using household theft claims over the past four years from tens of thousands of Endsleigh policy holders.

According to the report, Bristol homes are 48.6 per cent more likely to be burgled than the average home in the UK.

Top of the “riskiest for household theft” table is London, followed by Nottingham, with Bristol and Cambridge in joint third position.

Bristol has failed to move down the league table, after coming third in the same report last year.

This is despite Avon and Somerset police introducing a range of measures to cut the number of burglaries in the city. According to police figures, burglary offences in their area have reduced by 60 per cent over the past five years.

But the force says burglaries are now back on the rise and residents are becoming complacent about securing their property.

Statistics show that about 20 per cent of burglaries occurring in Bristol happen in the Redland police sector, which has a large student population.

In September 2007 police devised a five-year strategy to reduce the number of break-ins in Redland, Cotham, Bishopston and Ashley Down by 50 per cent as part of a Safer Bristol Partnership plan.

Officers carried out environmental surveys to find where improvements could be made to the street lighting, overgrown trees and bushes, open spaces and lanes. They also visited homes in the areas to make sure residents are aware of the problems.

In addition, the Safer Homes Vans scheme, which launched in 2000 in a bid to cut the number of repeat burglaries, has recently been expanded to cover 5,000 homes a year.

The vans, formerly known as Bobby Vans, are driven by skilled carpenters employed by Avon and Somerset police who fit basic home security improvements free of charge, including locks, bolts, door chains and viewers.

To offer residents advice on securing their properties, Avon and Somerset police launched its “Secure Your Manor” website in December 2007.

Endsleigh spokeswoman Rhiannon Harris said: “Obviously this is disappointing news for Bristol, but residents have reason to remain optimistic as there are some positive steps being taken by local police and community groups to address household security.

“Domestic burglary figures may have dropped substantially over the past decade but this period of economic gloom means there is no room for complacency when it comes to protecting your home.”