More than 160,000 thefts involved computer and communication equipment in the last year, according to information obtained by security specialist ViaSat.
Freedom of information requests sent to British police forces revealed 162,932 items had been reported stolen between March 2013 and February of this year, comprising 17% of all thefts.
Tech kit was taken in 28% of domestic burglaries, and 69% of thefts from a person.