According to the Safety at Home and Workplace report from the Securitas Direct Observatory, three out of four Spaniards view Spain as a safe country, indicating that Spain exceeds the European average in safety concerns.
Half of the population believes Spain is as safe now as it was two years ago. When compared with Europe, Spain stands above the European average in terms of security concerns.
The findings align with the Peace Index for Spain, which remained steady from 2021 to 2022 and scored 90 on a 0 to 200 scale.
Additionally, in collaboration with Kantar, the company produced a Peace Index for Europe and Latin America. This study examines societal concerns within these geographies and gauges how worried people are about experiencing intrusions and the likelihood of such events. Across the globe, Latin American countries show higher levels of security concern than European nations.
Both regions identify home burglary as the top worry. In Europe, intrusions at home are nearly twice as concerning as those occurring away from home.
In Latin America, however, the fear of burglary outside the home is on average 4 percent higher than the risk of intrusions inside a residence.
Among Spain’s autonomous communities, Galicia, the Principality of Asturias, Cantabria, the Community of Madrid, and the Canary Islands are considered the safest regions, with Lugo, Ávila, A Coruña, Burgos, and Ciudad Real highlighted as the safest provinces.
For municipalities with more than 30,000 residents, Huesca, Lugo, Huelva, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Talavera de la Reina, Granada, San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Burgos, Oviedo, and San Vicente del Raspeig recorded the strongest data in terms of safety.
On the other hand, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Murcia show the highest rates of intrusions into homes and businesses. Looking at provinces, Seville, Girona, Guipúzcoa, and Álava rank among the least safe areas.
Thursdays and holidays are the days with the most robberies
The report notes that the risk of intrusion increases at dawn or the end of the day. The strongest intrusion activity occurs between 01:00 and 05:00 every day, with the highest incidence between 01:00 and 03:00 on Thursdays. Conversely, the period from 05:00 to 08:00 experiences the lowest intrusion activity.
Furthermore, the probability of theft rises by about 25 percent during holiday periods, particularly affecting homes that are unoccupied during those times.
Chalets face higher risks
When considering property types, standalone and semi detached chalets show greater susceptibility to intrusions than apartments or condominiums, which carry lower risk levels.
The report outlines the most common burglary methods used against different property types. In apartments and flats, intruders typically bypass the main entrance with tactics such as slamming, tearing, or sliding the door. In contrast, chalets, whether standalone or semi-detached, see attackers scaling façades or forcing secondary access points through windows, balconies, or roof terraces to reach sensitive entry points.
Growing concern about second homes
The study highlights a widespread worry about second homes, with 67 percent of the population expressing concern. These properties have increased by 44 percent in the last two years, amplifying the demand for protection and security measures.
Properties located in squares, streets, and side streets experience more interference than others, whereas places and farms are less likely to be targeted, accounting for almost half of recorded intrusions.
Stealing and squatting as top concerns
On the whole, 91 percent of Spaniards worry about home protection. Robberies rank first in this anxiety, with two out of three Spaniards reporting unease about such risks.
Occupations are second in line, followed by events like floods or fires that could affect a home, and then health-related emergencies. In contrast, only 9 percent of respondents say they are unconcerned about protecting their homes.
Armored doors and other defenses
The study indicates that armored doors are the most commonly used security measure in Spain, adopted by more than half of the population. They are followed by camera doorbells and window bars, used by about 30 percent and 28 percent respectively. Alarms connected to a Central Receiver Center, or a CRA, are also widely adopted, with roughly eight out of ten households relying on this system to deter theft when away from home.
Collaborative Security and the role of Artificial Intelligence
The report points to collaborative security as a key trend for the future. Connected devices are expected to work together, creating a more integrated shield around homes and communities. Artificial Intelligence is viewed as essential for developing comprehensive protection, enabling earlier and more efficient detection of threats.