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Security

Do Window Bars Really Prevent Burglary?

Published on 9 October 2026

A wrought-iron window bar is primarily designed to protect children from a low sill — but it also slows down a break-in attempt. Before choosing a model, it’s worth knowing what burglary statistics actually show, and what prevention professionals recommend.

Windows: a real entry point, but not the main one

According to INSEE’s “Cambriolages” study (December 2021), based on the French “Cadre de vie et sécurité” survey (2017-2019), 23% of households that experienced a burglary or attempted burglary reported a forced or broken window as the entry point. The front door remains by far the most common entry point, forced or attempted in 64% of cases; climbing over a balcony or fence accounts for 18%. These figures don’t add up to 100%, since a single break-in can involve more than one attempted entry point.

Figures sourced from the INSEE Références “Cambriolages” study (December 2021, survey years 2017-2019) — this is French national data, describing households already affected by a burglary or attempt, not all households. Securing a window is still worthwhile even though the door is statistically the most targeted entry point.

What prevention professionals recommend

Every French police station and gendarmerie brigade has a “référent sûreté” (safety officer) who can carry out a free home security assessment. The site referentsurete.fr also lets individuals self-assess their burglary risk and offers advice sheets covering fences, gates, glazing, doors, locks and roller shutters — window bars appear there as one recognised measure among several.

We did not find an official French document giving a precise technical specification (bar thickness, maximum gap) for anti-burglary window bars — the numeric specs that circulate online most often trace back to Belgian or Luxembourg police sources, not French ones. For a project with a strong security requirement, ask your local référent sûreté or our workshop, which can adapt spacing and mounting accordingly.

Window bars and home insurance

French insurance comparison sites confirm premium reductions of roughly 5-20% for installing an alarm system or reinforced locks, on presentation of proof of purchase. For window bars specifically, the picture is different: some insurers require them as a policy condition for ground-floor or isolated housing, rather than rewarding them with a lower premium.

We found no official source (insurer, France Assureurs) confirming a premium discount tied specifically to installing window bars. Check the exact terms with your own insurer before treating this as a financial argument.

Frequently asked questions

Is a window bar enough to secure a window?

It slows down a break-in and deters an opportunistic burglar, but it doesn’t replace reinforced glazing, an alarm, or a full home security assessment.

Can installing a window bar lower my insurance premium?

Nothing confirms this so far: proven premium reductions mainly apply to alarms and reinforced locks. Some policies instead require window bars for certain homes — check with your insurer.

Who can help me assess my home’s burglary risk?

The référent sûreté at your local police station or gendarmerie brigade offers a free assessment; referentsurete.fr also allows a first self-assessment.

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