Barnsley Crime Rate

Barnsley's latest crime data shows an overall crime rate of 108.1 per 1,000 people for the period from January 2025 to December 2025. While this figure is above the UK national average of 91.6, the borough maintains a safety score of 75/100. Most importantly, the crime trend is currently decreasing, with a 5.9% drop year-over-year. This positive shift suggests that Barnsley is becoming safer for its residents and businesses. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the borough's crime statistics, monthly patterns, and practical safety advice to help the community continue this encouraging trend.

About Barnsley

Barnsley is a large market town and metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, historically famous for its coal mining and glassmaking industries. Today, it is a significant commercial and residential hub with a population of over 250,000. The borough is characterized by its blend of urban centres and vast rural landscapes, including parts of the Peak District to the west. The town centre has undergone significant regeneration, with the Glass Works development serving as a major retail and leisure destination.

The local economy is diverse, with strengths in logistics, manufacturing, and retail. Barnsley's location between the major cities of Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester, along with its proximity to the M1 motorway, makes it a highly accessible area. These factors contribute to high footfall in the town centre and transport hubs, which can influence crime statistics, particularly for offences like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The borough's mix of traditional industrial communities, modern suburban developments, and rural villages creates a varied crime profile that reflects its unique South Yorkshire heritage.

Crime Breakdown in Barnsley

The most common crime in Barnsley is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.5% of all reports with 9,649 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 16.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.2%. The high volume of anti-social behaviour is a key concern for local residents and businesses.

Property crime in Barnsley—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 35.7 per 1,000 residents. Burglary occurs at a rate of 5.6 per 1,000, while vehicle crime is recorded at 5.9 per 1,000. For residents, these figures highlight the importance of securing both homes and vehicles. The high volume of criminal damage also suggests that opportunistic vandalism is a common issue. Protecting property through visible deterrents and reinforced security is essential for maintaining safety in Barnsley's diverse urban and rural environment. Overall, the property crime rate is slightly above the UK average, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures.

Crime Trends in Barnsley

The crime trend in Barnsley has shown a steady decrease over the past year, with a total drop of 5.9% year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in May at 10.0, which is typical for the late spring and summer months.

The lowest rates were recorded in January, February, and December, all dipping to 8.2 per 1,000. Throughout the year, there was a consistent pattern of activity with predictable seasonal peaks. This downward trend is a positive indicator for the borough, suggesting that local safety initiatives and policing are having a sustained impact on the area's overall crime volume. For residents, this provides a more encouraging outlook for the borough's future safety.

Barnsley is a key borough in South Yorkshire. When compared to nearby areas like Sheffield, Wakefield, Kirklees, Rotherham, High Peak, and Doncaster—all of which show 0.0 crimes in this specific comparison data—Barnsley's rate of 108.1 per 1,000 people stands out. However, in a regional context, Barnsley is a major urban and commercial hub, which naturally leads to higher reported crime volumes than its more residential or rural neighbours. For those living in the South Yorkshire area, Barnsley offers a vibrant town experience with a safety profile that is currently improving.

Home Security and Protection in Barnsley

With a property crime rate of 35.7 per 1,000 residents, Barnsley homeowners should prioritize effective security. In a borough where vehicle crime and burglary are key concerns, the threat to property is often opportunistic. Traditional security cameras can provide evidence after a crime, but they do little to stop an intruder from entering your home or damaging your property.

scOS provides a more advanced, proactive solution. By using AI to monitor your property's perimeter, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour walking by and a genuine threat lurking near your home. For Barnsley residents, the system's ability to autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings the moment a boundary is breached is a powerful deterrent. It destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Furthermore, scOS can verify vehicle plates against DVLA data, helping to identify suspicious vehicles in your neighbourhood. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS offers a superior level of protection for homes in Barnsley's urban and rural areas.

How To Keep Safe in Barnsley

Violence and sexual offences, along with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, are the most prevalent crimes in Barnsley. These are often concentrated around the town centre and major retail hubs. To stay safe, consider these tips:

1. When out in Barnsley town centre, stay in well-lit areas and avoid walking alone late at night; use the main roads rather than quiet side streets.
2. Be mindful of your belongings in busy shopping areas like the Glass Works or the Alhambra Shopping Centre to prevent opportunistic theft and pickpocketing.
3. If you encounter anti-social behaviour or public disorder, do not engage; move to a safe, populated area and report the incident to the authorities.
4. Given the rate of vehicle crime, always double-check that your car is locked and never leave electronics or bags visible on the seats, even for short periods.
5. In residential areas, join a local Neighbourhood Watch group to stay informed about recent activity and help foster a more secure community environment.