New data ranks Leeds among worst areas in Yorkshire for break-ins at schools, colleges and universities
Leeds has been ranked as one the worst areas in Yorkshire for break-ins at education settings, according to new data.
New figures, obtained by Nothing But Padlocks, providers of school security solutions, showed 755 break-ins (and attempted break-ins) at schools, colleges and universities across West Yorkshire over the past five years.
The data, gathered through a Freedom of Information request, showed that between 2021 and 2025, 1,477 incidents took place across Yorkshire, with West Yorkshire ranked the worst - with over 400 more reported incidents than next highest South Yorkshire who had 350 incidents.
Bradford and Leeds ranked as the worst city’s for burglaries at education settings with 221 and 220 recorded incidents respectively. Doncaster was the next worst city in Yorkshire with 133 recorded break-ins.
Rich Quelch, Managing Director at Nothing But Padlocks said: “Our research highlights the alarming frequency of break-ins at schools, colleges, universities and nurseries across Yorkshire and the financial impact this is having on the education system at a time of tightening budgets and increasing pressure.
“While it is positive to see the number of recorded incidents by police has been declining since 2023, this remains a sizeable and concerning issue. It’s clear more needs to be done to protect educational buildings from opportunistic thieves and further investment in reliable, cost-effective security products to help protect valuable assets and ensure a safer learning environment for students and staff alike.”
According to police estimates, the value of the property stolen in West Yorkshire was over £168,000.
The research shows commonly stolen items include computers and televisions, garden equipment and plants, machinery and tools, security tech and even food.
Despite this, only 47 of these incidents are understood to have resulted in a charge or summons (six per cent) while in 517 cases (68 per cent) the police cited unidentifiable suspects or evidential difficulties related to suspect IDs.