Tidal wave of beach thefts: Over £400m worth of valuables stolen on UK beaches

• 2.7 million Brits have had valuables stolen at a UK beach in the last year and 4 million have lost personal possessions
• 6.4 million Brits (12 per cent) admit to putting valuables in a nappy to keep them safe
• Those in Wales and the South West are most likely to leave valuables at home

New research¹ from Churchill home insurance has revealed that 2.7 million Brits have had valuables stolen at a UK beach in the last year, valued at an estimated £438 million. A further 4.2 million admitted to losing personal possessions whilst on the beach in the same time period, amounting to an additional loss of £457 million of valuables.

With many people flocking to UK beaches over the summer holidays, the importance of keeping your personal possessions safe is key. For some beachgoing Brits however, this doesn’t seem to be a priority with 1.4 million leaving valuables both unattended and out of sight. Those aged 18 – 34 tend to be the least security conscious, with six per cent admitting to leaving their valuables unattended, compared to just two per cent of those aged over 55 years.   

To protect themselves from thefts whilst on the beach, some beachgoers are now getting creative with ways to reduce the risk of theft or loss. Whilst wrapping items in clothes or a towel is the most popular method for half of us (48 per cent), 15 per cent use secret hiding places such as fake sunscreen bottles and a further 12 per cent have even been known to wrap their valuables up in a nappy - a ‘hack’ that has blown up on social media platforms this year. Although perhaps not so secret anymore.

Table one: Tactics Brits use to keep valuables hidden at the beach

Source: Churchill home insurance: 2024

While nine per cent admit to leaving items unattended, but in their sight, some Brits directly rely on strangers to look after their possessions at the beach, with four per cent asking lifeguards.

Some Brits are very security conscious relying instead on locations they deem ‘safe’. A fifth (18 per cent) leave their valuables at home, 16 per cent in a car, and six per cent in a locker. More than one quarter (26 per cent) ensure valuables are looked after by other group members when they are not around and six per cent even put their possessions in a dry bag so they can swim with them.

Table two: Regions most likely to leave valuable at home when going to the beach 

Source: Churchill home insurance: 2024

Sunglasses are the most common items lost or stolen from the beach with 1.6 million Brits claiming to have lost a pair (3 per cent) and 1.2 million Brits having had them stolen (2 per cent). Other common items that are lost or stolen include mobile phones (two per cent lost and two per cent stolen), house keys (two per cent lost and two per cent stolen) and wallets (two per cent lost and two per cent stolen). One per cent of Brits also admit to losing their wedding or engagement rings at the beach.

When items were lost or stolen, almost half (42 per cent) searched the surrounding area, 23 per cent filed a police report, 12 per cent filed an insurance claim and somewhat surprisingly a third (32 per cent) said they did nothing.

Maria Lawrence, Product Manager for Churchill Home Insurance, said: “With summer now in full swing, millions of us will be heading to the beach to enjoy the summer sunshine and with this comes a consideration of what to do with your valuables. It would be preferable to leave your valuables at home, especially if you’re going to be in and out of the sea. But if you do need to take them onto the beach, it’s advised not to leave them unattended.

“If you do need to take your possessions outside of the home, you should check this is covered within your policy. But great care is needed of them to prevent loss and theft.”

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Notes to Editors

1.      Survey conducted for Churchill Home Insurance by Opinium of 2,000 UK adults between 30^th July – 2^nd August 2024

For further information please contact:

Chelsey Wheeler

Churchill PR Manager

Tel: 07920080956

Email: chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

FleishmanHillard

Tel: 07482107207

Email: DirectLineGroupMedia@Fleishman.com

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by UK Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com.