The London postcode of SE21 is the UK’s burglary claims capital, according to MoneySuperMarket’s annual Burglary Claims Tracker.

MoneySuperMarket analysed two million home insurance quotes run on the website over the last two years, to identify the postcodes with the highest and lowest rate of claims (made over a five year period) for theft of contents from the home. South Tulse Hill and Dulwich postal district SE21 is the number one claims hotspot, with a rate of 61.2 such claims per 1,000 quotes and Manchester (M21), Leeds (LS5) and Milton Keynes postcodes (MK46) also feature in the top 202.

MoneySuperMarket has created an interactive burglary claims calculator to show the rate of burglary claims made in every postal area in the UK. This enables users to check how their area compares to neighbouring postal districts and other locations in the UK.

Visitors can also access information on how to secure their home and reduce the likelihood of burglary.

While South London’s SE21 takes the number one spot in 2016, East London postcodes dominate the next three spots, including Clayhall (IG5), Redbridge (IG4) and Gants Hill (IG2). Affluent North Kensington (W10) also appears in the top 20, as do North London suburbs Whetstone (N20), Cockfosters (EN4) and New Southgate (N11).

Outside London, West Bromwich (B70) takes 11th spot, with a rate of 45.5 burglary claims per 1,000 quotes. Hawksworth and Kirkstall in Leeds (LS5) also features in the top 20, with 43.5 burglary claims per 1,000 quotes made for burglary, alongside Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester (M21), which has a rate of 44 burglary claims per 1,000 quotes.

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs spokesperson at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Burglars have two thoughts uppermost in their minds: where am I most likely to find something worth stealing and where am I least likely to get caught?

“Our findings suggest thieves favour busy urban areas where strangers are unlikely to be spotted and it’s easy to make a quick getaway. But leafy suburbs are also heavily targeted, with burglars following the money to affluent areas.

“The best way to avoid the emotional turmoil and financial distress associated with a burglary is to be vigilant, make a concerted effort to secure your home and put in place the safety net of appropriate contents insurance in case the worst should happen.

“Contents insurance represents great value – the average cost of combined buildings and contents cover is £110. But anyone who hasn’t switched for a number of years will probably be paying substantially more, making it important to shop around for a more competitive price the next time the policy is up for renewal.”