MORE than 3,000 homes were burgled twice or more in the West Mercia Police force area between 2008 and 2013.

The figures, which have been released by security company ADT and independent charity Victim Support, reveal that 3,199 of the 19,060 properties burgled in the region had been targeted before.

Repeat offences account for 17 per cent of all burglaries – the fifth highest percentage for police forces included in the survey.

Nationwide Northamptonshire had the highest repeat burglary rate of 30 per cent with Derbyshire and Gloucestershire close behind on 27 per cent and 22 per cent respectively.

The data has been released after a Freedom of Information request, which 25 out of 43 polices forces responded to.

Bedfordshire Police even revealed that one address in its patch was burgled nine times, five premises were broken into six times and 22 more were burgled five times.

Victim Support and security company ADT are working together on Take No More, a campaign to help tackle burglary within the UK. The initiative aims to provide crime prevention schemes, increase awareness in support services and help victims get justice in court.

Gail Hunter, spokesman for ADT, said: "When burglaries happen, we know it’s not just what they take, it’s what they leave behind.

“Burglary can be a terrible experience and, disappointingly, the figures show that there is a strong possibility of being burgled again. Our aim is to deter burglars and give people peace of mind.

“We want to work with communities in areas that have suffered high levels of burglary to offer crime prevention advice and reduce the risk of repeat victimisation.”

Karen Froggatt, director of charity Victim Support, added: “Thousands of homes are being blighted by burglaries. Getting burgled once can be devastating, but to be burgled multiple times is, understandably, extremely difficult for victims to recover from.

"Victims tell us that they suffer far more than lost possessions when their home is burgled, they lose their sense of safety in their own homes.

“Repeat victimisation can have a long lasting and widespread impact on people’s lives. That’s why it’s so important that victims of burglary can get practical help and have someone to talk to, when they do experience this awful crime.”