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The burglary rate in the Gwent Police force area last year was as high as London, official crime figures show.Overall crime was down across Wales but there were 13 burglaries per 1,000 people in Gwent, equalling London.
That is more than three times higher than in Dyfed-Powys, almost twice the rate in North Wales and 50% greater than the South Wales Police area.
In 2009, burglaries in the Gwent force area rose by 32%. Gwent Police has been asked to respond to the figures.
Across Wales, the numbers of reported crimes of all types were down in the 12 months to December 2009 compared with the same period in 2008, except for burglaries.
Last year there were 7,261 burglaries in the Gwent Police force area. More than 4,000 of those burglaries were to building's other than in a dwelling, while just over 3,000 involved homes.
The figures come from the British Crime Survey and police-recorded figures across England and Wales which show a 7% overall fall in crimes in 2009 compared with 2008.
Gwent Police is the only force area in Wales to see double digit growth in both types of burglary, and the only force in England and Wales to see double digit growth in both burglaries and robberies.
Victims
Newport pensioner Vivienne Verren is one recent victim of a break-in.
The 72-year-old had a break-off staying with her daughter in Gorseinon, Swansea, after thieves smashed their way into her home earlier this month on the Ringland estate in the city.
"The broke the alarm system to get in, and buckled a back window," she expalined.
"They took every piece of jewellery I own. They took signet rings that belonged to my husband Brian, who died four years ago, and they took medals that were my father-in-laws."
The burglars even stole Mrs Verren's passport.
"It's left me feeling very apprehensive - apprehensive and angry," she admitted.
"What I would like to know is whether they would like this done to their mothers or grandmothers?
"There's no trust anymore - no loyalty and no respect."
In both Dyfed-Powys and the South Wales Police force areas the number of burglaries dropped by 11%, while they grew by 5% in North Wales.
Across Wales, the numbers of burglaries overall increased by 1% while robberies fell by 8%, the figures reveal.
The Home Office report shows that South Wales Police is rated as the sixth best performing force in the UK, and the number one force in Wales, for reducing crime.
On average there were 38 fewer victims of crime every day in the South Wales Police force area when compared to the same period the year before.
In a statement, South Wales Police Chief Constable Peter Vaughan said: "This is excellent news for South Wales Police and the communities we serve.
"We have played a significant role, along with our partners and the public in cutting crime to levels which are unprecedented in the region since the introduction of National Crime Recording Standards in April 2002."
Across Wales, the numbers of reported crimes of all types were down in the 12 months to December 2009 compared with the same period in 2008, except for burglaries.
Recorded crime by police force areaPercentage rise or fallRobberyBurglaryDyfed-Powys--11Gwent2432North Wales-95South Wales-17-11WALES-81Source: Home Office
Recorded crime figures by police forceTotal number of each crime recordedRobberyBurglaryBurglary in a dwellingBurglary in building other than a dwellingDyfed-Powys381,9306031,327Gwent2627,2613,0074,254North Wales1264,5671,4723,095South Wales67112,0815,1576,924WALES1,09725,83910,23915,6 00Source: Home Office
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