People in Hull have an above-average chance of becoming a victim of burglary, new figures have shown.

Figures released today show Hull was ranked the eight-worst burglary hotspot in the UK.

Householders in the city are 37 per cent more likely to be the victim of a break-in than the national average.

London was the worst, with people 55 per cent more likely to be burgled, and Preston was the least burgled – 67 per cent less likely than the national average.

However, the results of the survey come just a week after the Mail revealed Hull's burglary rate was at an historic low.

Fewer than six burglaries took place every day from April 2008 to the end of March 2009.

The figures released today are based on analysis of hundreds of thousands of insurance claims from across the UK in the past four years by Endsleigh Insurance.

Rhiannon Harris, of the insurance company, said: "Burglary rates have spiked recently and, according to the Government, that could be a result of the recession.

"It is more vital than ever that homeowners take extra care when they are leaving their property for any period of time.

"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."