Rural Ashfield Crime Rate

Recent crime data for Rural Ashfield, covering January 2025 to December 2025, indicates a concerning trend. With a crime rate of 100.6 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate sits slightly above the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. While the safety score of 79/100 mirrors the national average, the significant increase of 27.8% year-on-year highlights a worrying escalation in criminal activity. This upward trend, evidenced by fluctuations throughout the data period, suggests that proactive measures and community engagement are crucial to address the underlying causes and mitigate further increases. Understanding the specific types of crimes occurring is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.

The most recent data for Rural Ashfield, covering January 2025 to December 2025, reveals a concerning crime profile. Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 28.7% of reported incidents (62 crimes). Anti-social behaviour follows closely behind at 18.5% (40 crimes), alongside shoplifting, which represents 16.7% of recorded crimes (36 incidents). Public order offences constitute 9.3% (20 crimes), while criminal damage and arson make up 5.1% (11 crimes). Vehicle crime and other theft are also notable, representing 4.6% (10 crimes) and 4.2% (9 crimes) of total incidents respectively. While burglary remains a concern, it accounts for a smaller proportion of overall crime at 2.8% (6 crimes), demonstrating a relative level of security concerning dwelling intrusion. These figures highlight a need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of these crime types within the community.

The crime rate in Rural Ashfield has seen a concerning increase of 27.8% year-on-year. Examining the monthly data reveals fluctuating trends, with peaks observed in January, September, and November 2025. A significant dip occurred in April 2025, followed by a recovery in subsequent months. The most recent data from December 2025 showed a lower value, suggesting a possible stabilization or temporary reduction, but the overall upward trend remains a cause for concern. This increase warrants a thorough investigation into potential contributing factors and the implementation of targeted crime prevention strategies.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Ashfield

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, residents should be particularly vigilant when walking alone, especially during the evening. Consider travelling in groups or utilising well-lit routes. Due to the high incidence of anti-social behaviour, reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities is crucial. Secure your property thoroughly, ensuring doors and windows are locked, and consider installing security lighting. Finally, be mindful of your belongings in public spaces, particularly when shopping, to reduce the risk of theft and shoplifting.

Crime patterns in Rural Ashfield demonstrate a varied distribution throughout the day. Burglaries are relatively consistent across morning, afternoon, and evening periods, while vehicle crime peaks significantly during the night (12am-6am). Theft sees its highest incidence during the afternoon (12pm-6pm). Violence and sexual offences, while infrequent, tend to be concentrated during the evening hours (6pm-12am). These patterns suggest that targeted patrols and preventative measures should be focused on the night shift to address vehicle crime and during afternoon hours to curb theft incidents.

Compared to neighbouring areas within Ashfield, Rural Ashfield’s crime rate is demonstrably higher. While some surrounding communities exhibit similar levels of anti-social behaviour, the prevalence of violence and sexual offences in Rural Ashfield is a particular concern. Data from comparable built-up areas suggests that factors such as limited community resources and potential socio-economic disparities may contribute to the heightened crime rate. A closer examination of these external factors and collaborative efforts with neighbouring areas are necessary to develop comprehensive crime reduction strategies.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a recording of the crime after it has already occurred. scOS offers a proactive approach, utilising AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary before they escalate. This technology, featuring multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, and pattern learning, creates a significant deterrent. Unlike DIY security systems that alert you after a break-in, scOS actively intervenes in real-time, utilising autonomous response features like automated lights and speaker warnings. Many burglars decide within those crucial first 60 seconds; the visible presence of a professional-grade scOS system can be enough to make them reconsider and move on, effectively preventing the crime altogether. While DIY systems have their place, scOS delivers a level of protection designed for areas with elevated crime rates, like Rural Ashfield.