What's stolen most varies by location (stores, homes, cargo), but globally, electronics (smartphones, laptops), pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics are top targets due to high resale value, while cheese is the most stolen food item, and wallets are common pickpocket targets. In cargo, electronics and medicine account for a large portion of thefts, while in retail, high-demand items like fragrances, designer clothing, and even baby formula are frequently taken.
The most commonly stolen items depend on where the theft happens—such as stores, homes, or cars—but they usually share two traits: they are valuable and easy to resell. These include electronics, jewelry, designer clothing, and perfumes.
Burglars also don't want to spend too long in your house, so they'll likely take off with whatever is handy and profitable. Jewellery, consumer electronics like phones, tablets and laptops as well as portable hardware tools and equipment all rank highly as stolen goods claimed under insurance[1].
The largest art theft in world history occurred in Boston on March 18, 1990, when thieves stole 13 pieces, collectively valued at $500 million, from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Among the pieces stolen was Vermeer's The Concert, which is considered to be the most valuable stolen painting in the world.
Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023 by make and model:
Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.
The full top 10 list as reported by Équité:
The items most frequently stolen during residential break-ins include:
This record was broken by the Tonbridge heist. The largest cash heist in global history took place in March 2003, when approximately US$1 billion was stolen from the Central Bank of Iraq, shortly after the United States began the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Top 20 Most Expensive Things in the World (2025 Edition): From Billion-Dollar Art to Ultra-Rare Cars
Although the bedroom is the most expected room burglars go for, a kid's room is usually not considered, and therefore, never searched. Try to find clever spots within your kid's room and hide your valuables creatively.
1. Alarm Systems. Burglars hate alarm systems - and for very good reason! Any indication that your home has a security system, such as yard signs, window stickers and a big alarm box, can act as a burglar deterrent and help prevent your home from being burgled.
Top products targeted in grocery store theft
The products most frequently stolen from supermarkets include foodstuffs, hygiene products, cosmetics and fashion accessories: cheese ; meat and charcuterie.
For grocery stores, meat and cheese are commonly stolen products as they are both easy-to-conceal and have a higher resale value compared to other food products. They can be sold via the black market, often to restaurants and suppliers, or utilized for personal use due to the costs related to them.
The Guinness Book of Records records its own issues as the most stolen book from public libraries in the United States. It is followed in the ranking by the Christian Bible in its different languages and editions.
Grand Theft
This type of crime can involve stealing high-value items like electronics, jewelry, or vehicles. It may also include theft of large sums of money. Grand theft is often charged as a felony, with penalties that may include significant fines, restitution to the victim, and imprisonment.
In 2023, the District of Columbia had the highest larceny-theft rate in the United States, with 2,990.8 cases of reported larceny-theft per 100,000 inhabitants. Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Louisiana rounded out the top five states for larceny-theft in that year.
John Herbert Dillinger (/ˈdɪlɪndʒər/; June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He commanded the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing twenty-four banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times and escaped twice.
Doors and windows are the most common entry points for burglars, so near these entry points is often the first place they look for any valuables. Burglars also know many homeowners hide their house key near the front door, making it easier for them to break in within minutes or even seconds.
Blacks are almost twice as likely to be robbed as whites; males are about 70% more likely to be robbed than females. About 3 out of 4 people will become victims of a completed or attempted assault; 2 in 5 will be victims of this crime at least twice.
What is the most common crime in Britain?
The most stolen cars in Australia are from the Holden brand, with 5,539 thefts from the manufacturer recorded in 2021 – more than 1,000 more incidents than the second-most targeted brand. The Holden Commodore VE MY06-13 was the most commonly targeted model for theft, with 898 stolen in 2021.
Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black. This is because they have a higher demand, making them easy to sell. It's also noticeable that some cars are just more attractive to the criminals than others.
These robust security measures make Volvo vehicles less appealing to car thieves. While Tesla vehicles are known for their security, some BMW models also stand the test of time in terms of durability and reliability.