Brierley Crime Rate

Brierley, an urban settlement in Barnsley, maintains a high safety profile with an overall crime rate of 65.3 per 1,000 people for the 2025 calendar year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, earning the area a safety score of 84/100, which is well above the national average of 79. However, recent data shows that crime in Brierley is on an upward trend, having increased by 17.0% year-over-year. The community of 1,792 residents primarily sees incidents related to violence and criminal damage. While property crime remains below the national average, the rise in total offences and a notable burglary rate suggest that residents should remain vigilant and proactive regarding their home and personal security.

In Brierley, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.6% of all reported incidents. Criminal damage and arson is the second most common category at 13.7%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.8%. These figures highlight a concentration of offences that impact both personal safety and community property. Overall property-related crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—sits at a rate of 25.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. For homeowners, this means that while Brierley is generally a lower-risk area for theft compared to national benchmarks, the prevalence of criminal damage and burglary (12.0% of total crime) still requires consistent attention to home security and property maintenance.

Brierley is currently experiencing an upward trend in crime, with a 17.0% increase year-over-year. The monthly data for 2025 shows considerable fluctuation; the year began with a rate of 6.7 in January but dropped to a yearly low of 1.1 in March. This was followed by a sharp spike to 8.9 in April. For the remainder of the year, the rate remained relatively high, fluctuating between 5.6 and 7.8, before ending on a lower note of 2.8 in December. This volatility, combined with the overall double-digit percentage increase, suggests that while the area remains safe, residents should be prepared for sudden surges in local crime activity.

How To Keep Safe in Brierley

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Brierley. To stay safe, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone after dark, and stick to well-lit main roads where possible. Criminal damage and arson are also significant factors; ensuring your property is well-maintained and having motion-activated security lighting can deter opportunistic damage. For homeowners, the data shows a high percentage of burglaries occur in the afternoon (46%). To mitigate this, ensure all doors and windows are locked even if you are only out for a short time, and consider using timer switches for lights to give the impression that someone is home. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can also help by increasing community vigilance and ensuring that any suspicious activity is quickly reported to the Barnsley local authorities.

Crime in Brierley exhibits clear temporal trends. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is a particularly high-risk period for burglary, which accounts for 46% of reported incidents during these hours. This suggests that unoccupied homes are being targeted while residents are at work or away. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a concentration of vehicle crime, representing 37% of reports. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) are characterised by 'other' crimes, making up 45% of incidents. Morning hours show a more mixed profile, though burglary remains a notable factor at 28%. These patterns indicate that while vehicle security is a night-time priority, home security must be maintained throughout the day, particularly during the afternoon peak.

In the local Barnsley region, Brierley (65.3) is one of the safer settlements. It has a much lower crime rate than Grimethorpe (124.6) and Hemsworth (152.2). It also compares favourably to Cudworth and Shafton (89.6) and South Hiendley (86.9). This makes Brierley a relatively secure pocket within the local authority, although the 17.0% increase in crime over the last year is a faster rate of growth than some of its neighbours, which may narrow the safety gap in the future if the trend continues.

With a property crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 and a significant burglary percentage, Brierley homeowners should prioritise effective security. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing footage only after a crime has been committed. Proactive protection, however, aims to stop the crime from happening in the first place. scOS is an AI-powered home security system that monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It uses intelligent algorithms to distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat, such as someone loitering near your home in the afternoon—a peak time for burglary in Brierley. By triggering autonomous responses like lights or audio deterrents before an intruder can act, scOS removes the opportunity for crime. In an area where crime is currently increasing, this level of professional-grade prevention ensures that your home remains a difficult target, providing true security rather than just a recording of an event.