Great Houghton (Barnsley) Crime Rate

Great Houghton (Barnsley) faces a stark challenge: vehicle crime is 156% above the UK average, a figure more than three times the national rate. This makes it a major concern for residents, despite an overall crime rate of 113.2 per 1,000—24% above the UK average. While the area’s safety score of 74/100 is slightly below the UK average of 79, targeted measures could address key vulnerabilities like vehicle theft and other theft.

Great Houghton (Barnsley) is a built-up area within the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. As a commuter hub with a mix of residential and industrial zones, it faces unique challenges. Higher property crime rates may be linked to transient populations and areas with limited surveillance, while vehicle crime likely reflects the presence of commuter parking and unsecured vehicles in residential streets.

The most striking finding is that vehicle crime in Great Houghton (Barnsley) is 156% above the UK average (11.8 vs 4.6 per 1,000), making it a major local concern. This likely stems from the area's role as a commuter suburb, where parked vehicles are left unattended in residential zones. Other theft (138% above UK average) may also be tied to opportunistic crimes in densely populated areas. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson (116% above UK average) could reflect higher levels of anti-social behaviour or economic deprivation. While violence and sexual offences are 7% above the UK average, their relatively lower rate compared to other crimes suggests they are not the primary safety concern here.

Crime in Great Houghton (Barnsley) has increased by 9.9% year-on-year, with a dramatic rise in drug-related offences (500% YoY). This sharp increase may be linked to new distribution networks or economic pressures. Vehicle crime has also risen by 58.3%, likely due to increased opportunism in unmonitored areas. While other theft has decreased by 19%, it remains 138% above the UK average. The monthly trend shows a peak in June 2025 (13.7 per 1,000), possibly driven by summer events or extended outdoor activity, followed by a dip in October 2025 (5.9 per 1,000). This fluctuation suggests seasonal influences on crime patterns.

How To Keep Safe in Great Houghton (Barnsley)

For vehicle crime, secure cars with alarms and tracking systems, as the area’s rate is 156% above the UK average. Avoid leaving valuables in unattended vehicles. For anti-social behaviour, which is 10% above the UK average, avoid isolated areas in the evening and report disturbances promptly. If other theft (138% above UK average) is a concern, use secure storage for valuables and avoid leaving items visible in homes or cars.

Crime in Great Houghton (Barnsley) peaks during evening and night hours, with vehicle crime surging between 12am and 6am (46% of night-time crimes). This aligns with the area’s role as a commuter hub, where parked vehicles are vulnerable after hours. Theft peaks in the afternoon (53% of daily theft incidents), likely tied to retail activity and unsecured homes during the day. Burglary and criminal damage are more common in the evening (13-15% of evening crimes), possibly linked to anti-social behaviour and transient populations. Nighttime sees a sharp rise in vehicle crime, reflecting increased opportunism in unmonitored areas.

Compared to nearby areas, Great Houghton (Barnsley) has an 8% higher crime rate than Thurnscoe and Darfield but is significantly safer than Goldthorpe, which has a 34% higher rate. Grimethorpe also exceeds Great Houghton (Barnsley) by 11%, highlighting regional disparities in crime patterns. These differences may reflect varying socioeconomic conditions and urban planning approaches across the South Yorkshire area.

For Great Houghton (Barnsley) households, vehicle crime (156% above UK average) is the dominant concern. Proactive security systems like scOS can monitor driveways and boundaries with hardwired cameras, distinguishing between neighbours and potential intruders. DVLA integration flags stolen or cloned vehicles, offering real-time alerts. For areas with high anti-social behaviour (10% above UK average), scOS’s AI can detect suspicious activity around homes, triggering automated lighting and speaker activation to deter offenders.