Parts of Redbridge have the highest number of burglary insurance claims in the entire country, according to an annual survey.

Data released this week by MoneySupermarket.com shows that 55 homes in every thousand in the IG4 postcode, Redbridge, had suffered break-ins in the last five years – the highest in the UK.

London held 16 of the 20 hotspots. Five were in Redbridge.

Chadwell Heath came third in the UK, Clayhall fifth with Gants Hill and Newbury Park ranked 16th and Barkingside and Hainault recognised as the 19th worst place in the UK for burglary claims.

Redbridge Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal stressed that burglary remains a top priority for the Redbridge Safety Community Partnership and pointed out that the borough’s burglary figures had fallen drastically in recent years.

He said: “MoneySupermarket based their information on insurance claim quote figures, which have been gathered using data from insurance quotes run on their website.

“These figures do not reflect actual burglaries in the borough or match figures held by the Police which means it’s difficult to make accurate comparisons.

“It is also based on those who have home insurance and does not capture information from those that are uninsured, so it is not a complete picture.”

Ch Supt Jason Gwillim, who runs Havering, Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham police, said: “We know that burglary is a potentially devastating crime for victims, resulting not only in physical loss but in some cases, leaving a lasting impact.

“With this in mind, burglary has been and remains a priority crime for Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham, with plans in place to not only tackle and reduce crime, but to prevent residents from becoming victims of crime.

“Currently, Redbridge borough is seeing a 41 per cent reduction in residential burglaries since the start of the Mayor’s MOPAC challenge in 2012.”

Mr Gwillim praised this as “a fantastic achievement”.

He added: “We are currently also in the process of rolling out property marking into properties across London under the MetTrace programme.

“As part of this work, we urge Londoners to take action to safeguard their homes by following our simple crime prevention advice.

“By thinking like a burglar, and noticing and addressing where your home and possessions may be vulnerable, you can reduce the chances of it happening to you.”