Barnet Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Barnet

Barnet records an overall crime rate of 89.3 incidents per 1,000 residents annually, positioning it as a safer area compared to the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a safety score of 81 out of 100, notably higher than the national average of 78, reflecting a relatively secure environment for its 405,050 residents. Property crime in Barnet is reported at 38.0 per 1,000 people, which is slightly above the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. Recent data indicates a stable trend in overall crime, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.1%. This stability provides a consistent picture of crime patterns within the borough, offering residents and prospective movers a clear understanding of local safety.

About Barnet

Barnet, a large and diverse London borough with a population of over 405,000, presents a varied landscape that influences its crime statistics. Characterised by extensive residential areas, including both suburban family homes and more densely populated urban centres, the borough also hosts significant commercial zones and transport hubs. These characteristics contribute to a dynamic environment where crime patterns can vary. Major transport links, such as the Northern Line and M1 motorway, create a transient population flow, which can sometimes correlate with certain types of offences like theft or vehicle crime. Additionally, local economic factors and varying levels of social deprivation across its neighbourhoods can play a role in shaping overall crime rates, with areas experiencing higher footfall or economic activity potentially seeing different crime profiles. The borough's blend of quiet residential streets and bustling high streets means that understanding crime requires a nuanced perspective of its multifaceted nature.

Barnet Crime Type Analysis

An examination of crime types in Barnet reveals that Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Vehicle crime are the three most prevalent categories. Violence and sexual offences account for 22.9% of all reported crimes, with 8,285 incidents annually, indicating a significant concern within the community. Close behind, Anti-social behaviour constitutes 22.6% of offences, with 8,167 recorded incidents, often impacting residents' quality of life. Vehicle crime, making up 10.7% of the total with 3,852 crimes, highlights a particular area for concern regarding property security.

Property-related crime overall, encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, and robbery, represents approximately 42.5% of all reported crimes in Barnet. This includes 2,192 burglaries (6.1%), 2,776 shoplifting incidents (7.7%), 2,648 other thefts (7.3%), 1,084 thefts from the person (3.0%), 630 robberies (1.7%), 2,001 criminal damage and arson incidents (5.5%), 195 bicycle thefts (0.5%), and the aforementioned vehicle crime. For residents and homeowners, these figures underscore the importance of robust security measures to protect their assets and ensure peace of mind. While violent and anti-social crimes are prominent, the substantial proportion of property crime suggests a need for vigilance in securing homes and vehicles.

Crime Trends in Barnet

Barnet has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.1%. This stability indicates that while crime rates are not rapidly falling, they are also not significantly escalating, offering a consistent environment for residents. Analysing the monthly trend data provides a more granular view of this pattern. The crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated throughout the year, starting at 7.9 in October 2024 and dipping to its lowest at 6.5 in February 2025. Following this, there was a gradual increase into the summer months, reaching 8.4 in July 2025, a common seasonal pattern often associated with increased outdoor activity. However, the rates stabilised towards the end of the period, with 7.5 incidents per 1,000 in both August and September 2025. This consistent pattern, with minor seasonal variations, suggests that residents can expect a relatively predictable crime landscape, though remaining aware of typical seasonal upticks in certain offences is always prudent.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Understanding Barnet's crime statistics benefits from a comparison with its neighbouring boroughs. Barnet's overall crime rate of 89.3 per 1,000 residents and safety score of 81/100 positions it favourably against some of its neighbours. For instance, Brent and Haringey often present higher crime rates, particularly in certain categories, making Barnet appear comparatively safer in the broader regional context. Harrow, on the other hand, frequently demonstrates similar or slightly lower crime figures, suggesting a comparable level of safety. Hertsmere, being a more suburban and rural district bordering Barnet, typically exhibits lower crime rates, providing a stark contrast that highlights the urban challenges faced by London boroughs. Camden, with its central London location and high footfall, generally experiences a higher density of certain crimes, particularly theft. Lastly, Enfield, to Barnet's east, often has crime rates that are broadly comparable, with variations depending on specific crime types and local characteristics. This regional perspective helps residents contextualise Barnet's safety profile within the wider London and Home Counties area.

Protecting Your Property in Barnet

Given Barnet's property crime rate of 38.0 per 1,000 people, ensuring robust home security is a pertinent consideration for residents. While traditional security measures like CCTV cameras can record incidents, they often provide footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. The focus for effective home protection should shift from reactive recording to proactive deterrence. This is where advanced, AI-powered systems like scOS offer a significant advantage.

Instead of merely notifying you after an intrusion, scOS is designed to prevent crime at your property boundary. By using multi-camera intelligence, it watches all cameras simultaneously, detecting threats before a break-in occurs. This proactive approach means that potential intruders are identified and deterred early. For instance, scOS can verify vehicles, catching fake plates instantly, and learn your family's routines to only alert on real threats. When a threat is detected, autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers are triggered, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars make their decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property; visible professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection and often makes them move on. While DIY systems have their place, professional solutions like scOS intervene in real-time, offering a fundamentally different level of security that aligns with preventing crime before it happens, rather than simply documenting it.