Royston (Barnsley) Crime Rate

Royston (Barnsley)'s urban area recorded an overall crime rate of 96.7 per 1,000 people for the period from January 2025 to December 2025. While this figure is slightly above the UK national average of 91.6, the town maintains a safety score of 77/100. Most importantly, the crime trend is currently decreasing, with a significant 14.0% drop year-over-year. This positive shift suggests that Royston is becoming safer for its residents and businesses. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the town's crime statistics, monthly patterns, and practical safety advice to help the community continue this encouraging trend.

Crime Breakdown in Royston (Barnsley)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Royston, accounting for 37.4% of all reports with 364 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 17.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.5%. The high volume of anti-social behaviour is a key concern for local residents and businesses.

Property crime—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 28.9 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting occurs at a rate of 6.0 per 1,000, while burglary is recorded at 4.1 per 1,000. For residents, these figures highlight the importance of securing both homes and businesses. 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 Royston's urban environment. Overall, the property crime rate is lower than the UK average, but residents should remain vigilant.

Crime Trends in Royston (Barnsley)

The crime trend in Royston (Barnsley) has shown a significant decrease over the past year, with a total drop of 14.0% year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents peaked in February at 10.5, which is an unusual early-year peak.

The lowest rate was recorded in November, dipping to 5.4 per 1,000. Throughout the year, there was a general downward trend from the early-year highs, with the rate consistently dropping towards the end of the year. This downward trend is a very positive indicator for the town, suggesting that local safety initiatives and policing are having a substantial and sustained impact on the area's overall crime volume. For residents, this provides a more encouraging outlook for the town's future safety.

How To Keep Safe in Royston (Barnsley)

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

1. When out in Royston 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 social areas 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.

Crime Patterns in Royston (Barnsley)

Crime in Royston follows distinct time patterns throughout the day. The most frequent period for crime is the afternoon (12pm-6pm), which accounts for a significant portion of theft and burglary offences as the town is at its busiest. The evening (6pm-12am) also sees high activity, particularly for anti-social behaviour and violence related to social gatherings.

Interestingly, vehicle crime is heavily concentrated during the night (12am-6am), with 33% of crimes in this period being vehicle-related. This suggests that opportunistic thieves target cars when they are parked overnight in residential areas. Burglary is equally likely to occur in the afternoon (23%) and night (23%), indicating that properties are targeted when they are either unattended during the day or when residents are asleep. These patterns highlight the importance of maintaining vigilance and security at all times, with specific focus on vehicle protection overnight and property security during the afternoon and evening hours.

Royston is an urban settlement in the Barnsley borough. When compared to nearby areas, it has a significantly lower crime rate (96.7) than Carlton (152.6), but is higher than the more residential area of Notton (47.0), Cudworth and Shafton (89.6), and Havercroft and Ryhill (91.5). In a regional context, Royston is a mid-sized urban hub, which naturally leads to higher reported crime volumes than its smaller, more rural neighbours. For those living in the South Yorkshire area, Royston offers a stable town experience with a safety profile that is currently improving.

Home Security and Protection in Royston (Barnsley)

With a property crime rate of 28.9 per 1,000 residents, Royston homeowners should prioritize effective security. In a town where shoplifting 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 Royston 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 Royston's urban environment.