The rise in thefts is believed to be fuelled by the recession and a rise in unemployment, says the British Crime Survey.
A think-tank, Policy Exchange, has argued police only solve one in eight burglaries.
The survey also revealed there were 2.2 million violent crimes last year. This included a dramatic 38 percent hike in assaults with "minor injury" and a 35 percent increase in domestic violence.
Jon Murphy, a top official of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said rocketing metal prices drove a 70 percent upsurge in cable thefts in the railways.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "After years of falling crime, these figures show the further progress people want is at risk."
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