Hoylandswaine Crime Rate

Hoylandswaine, a quiet urban settlement in Barnsley, maintains a high safety profile with an overall crime rate of 71.0 per 1,000 people for the year 2025. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.6, resulting in a strong safety score of 83/100, well above the national average of 79. However, the area has recently experienced a significant upward shift in crime, with a 42.9% year-over-year increase. While this rise comes from a relatively low baseline, it highlights a changing safety dynamic for the 1,832 residents. Most reported incidents involve violence and anti-social behaviour, while property-related crime remains exceptionally low. Understanding these emerging trends is key for residents to maintain the area's traditionally high standards of security.

In Hoylandswaine, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 39.2% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 20.8%, followed by public order offences at 10.0%. These figures suggest that the majority of incidents in the area are personal or community-based rather than property-focused. Overall property crime—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—is remarkably low at 15.3 per 1,000 people. This is less than half the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. For residents, this means that while the overall crime trend has seen a recent spike, the risk to physical property remains significantly lower than in many other parts of the country. Nonetheless, the prevalence of personal offences highlights the importance of community awareness and personal safety.

Hoylandswaine has seen a significant upward trend in crime, with a 42.9% increase year-over-year. Monthly data from 2025 shows a volatile pattern: the year started with very low rates (2.7 in January), but spiked dramatically to a peak of 14.7 in July. Following this high, the rate fluctuated, with another notable rise to 7.1 in December. This rapid increase from a very low base suggests that the area is experiencing a shift in its safety profile. Residents should be aware that while the area remains safe by national standards, the trend is currently moving in an unfavourable direction, necessitating increased community vigilance and personal security awareness.

How To Keep Safe in Hoylandswaine

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Hoylandswaine. To stay safe, it is recommended to remain aware of your surroundings, especially when walking in more isolated areas or after dark. Carrying a personal safety alarm and ensuring your phone is charged are simple but effective precautions. Anti-social behaviour is also a factor; reporting any persistent issues to the local Barnsley policing team helps maintain the area's peaceful character. For vehicle owners, although the rate is low, 53% of night-time crime is vehicle-related. To mitigate this, always lock your car, use a steering lock if possible, and park in a well-lit driveway or garage. Finally, given the recent increase in crime, staying connected with neighbours through a local social media group or Neighbourhood Watch can help the community stay informed about any suspicious activity in the village.

Crime in Hoylandswaine follows specific temporal patterns. Night-time (12am - 6am) is heavily dominated by vehicle crime, which accounts for 53% of reported incidents during these hours. This suggests that vehicles parked overnight are the primary target for opportunistic offenders. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a shift towards 'other' crimes, which make up 47% of reports. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are more common, representing 19% and 24% of crimes respectively. Burglary also shows a peak in the afternoon (29%), likely when homes are left unattended. These insights indicate that while personal safety is a 24-hour consideration, property and vehicle risks are most acute during the afternoon and late-night periods.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Hoylandswaine (71.0) has a slightly higher crime rate than Penistone (50.8), Silkstone Common (41.6), and Oxspring (31.6). Silkstone remains the safest nearby area with a rate of 30.4. While Hoylandswaine is safer than the broader UK and many other parts of Barnsley, it sits at the higher end of the crime spectrum within this specific rural-suburban cluster. This context explains why the recent 42.9% increase has been a point of notice for the local community, as it moves the area further from the exceptionally low rates of its closest neighbours.

In Hoylandswaine, the property crime rate is very low at 15.3 per 1,000, but the recent 42.9% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should not become complacent. Traditional security systems often fail because they are reactive—they record a burglary but do nothing to stop it. Proactive protection is a more effective approach for maintaining a safe home. scOS is an AI-powered security system that monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between a neighbour and a potential threat, such as someone scouting a vehicle at night. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously activate lights or audio deterrents, stopping a crime before it even begins. In a low-crime area like Hoylandswaine, the best security is the kind that ensures your home remains an unattractive target for opportunistic criminals, providing peace of mind through intelligent prevention rather than just recording.