Smart home security brand Reolink has revealed a major gap between how safe Brits feel in their local area, compared to how prepared they actually are for a break-in.
New research was commissioned by Reolink in May 2026 to better understand how safe Brits feel in their local communities, compared to the practical steps they are taking to protect their homes.
The findings come as Reolink has launched its new Postcode Crime Checker, a free, online crime postcode checker allowing users to easily assess safety in their local area – revealing data, burglary rates and tailored advice and recommendations to improve home security.
According to the company, the tool has been designed to help households better understand how vulnerable their local area may be, identify potential gaps in their home security setup and take practical steps to better protect their property.
While the majority of Brits (81%) say they feel safe in their local area, Reolink’s research suggested that many remain uneasy about potential security threats, with almost one in four respondents (23%) saying they are concerned about burglaries or break-ins – despite many still lacking even basic home protection measures.
The findings point to what Reolink describes as a growing “confidence gap” in UK home security: while households may feel secure, many are potentially underprepared for opportunistic crime.
Over a quarter (26.6%) have never considered any precautions against break-ins at all, and more than one in four (25.4%) have no home security system in place.
Residents in Bristol (85.7%), Leeds (84.9%) and Edinburgh (84.6%) were most likely to say they feel safe in their local area, according to the research.
Meanwhile, Newcastle (73.3%), Glasgow (73.6%) and Belfast (76.8%) reported the lowest feelings of safety – though the majority of residents in every city surveyed still said they feel secure overall.
However, confidence doesn’t always equal preparedness. Despite ranking among the UK’s safest-feeling cities, Edinburgh residents were also among the least likely to have taken steps to protect their homes, with just 35.9% saying they had implemented security measures.
Similarly, Glasgow and Newcastle ranked among the least security-conscious cities overall (with just 34.38% an 30.23% of residents taking measures to protect their homes).
By comparison, Sheffield (82.7%), Liverpool (82.6%) and Leeds (81.1%) were revealed as the UK cities where residents are taking the most proactive measures to secure their homes.
Reolink’s findings show that smart home security technology is becoming increasingly mainstream, with 40.7% of Brits now using a doorbell camera and 31.6% using a security camera at home.
In particular, those in Leeds (44.34%), London (44.31%), and Belfast (42.86%) are most likely to use a doorbell camera to help capture potential security threats.
However, traditional habits still dominate for many households.
According to the company, nearly two in five Brits (38.1%) said they still rely on friends or family to keep an eye on their home while away, while more than a quarter (27%) rely on neighbours rather than smart technology.
Alarmingly, more than 10% (11.9%) don’t rely on anyone at all, leaving their homes more vulnerable to potential break-ins.
The research also revealed that concerns around complexity and privacy are continuing to slow wider adoption of smart security systems.
Almost 14% of respondents said smart home security systems are too complicated to set up or use, while 13.2% said they simply aren’t familiar with the options available.
A further 11% expressed concerns around privacy and data security.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Gen Z – often considered the UK’s most tech-savvy generation – were the age group most likely to say smart home security systems are too complicated to install or use.
More than one in five Gen Z respondents (22.2%) cited complexity as a barrier, compared to just 12.1% of Millennials and 13.2% of Gen X respondents.
The company highlighted that findings suggest that confusion and uncertainty, rather than lack of interest, may be one of the biggest barriers preventing households from embracing smart security technology.
Ali Park, Country Manager at Reolink said: “Our research shows that many people across the UK feel generally safe at home, but there’s often a disconnect between that confidence and the practical steps being taken to protect properties.
“What stood out most to us was the number of people who worry about burglaries, yet still don’t have even basic security measures in place.
Park continued: “In many cases, that isn’t due to a lack of concern, it’s because of misconceptions that home security is complicated or difficult to understand.
“At Reolink, we are committed to making home security simple, accessible and effective for every household.
“With our subscription-free products featuring local storage, alongside a full range of security solutions designed for every home and lifestyle, we want to empower people to make informed decisions about protecting what matters most.
“Our Postcode Crime Checker gives people clearer, more accessible information and practical guidance, helping them take simple steps towards creating a safer living environment,” he concluded.
