Retford Crime Rate

Retford is a market town with an overall crime rate of 80.7 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The area is characterised by a high safety score of 82/100, indicating it is one of the safer places to live in the region, exceeding the UK average safety score of 78. Furthermore, crime in Retford is on a positive downward trend, having decreased by 12.8% year-over-year. This combination of a lower-than-average crime rate and a declining trend makes it a secure environment for residents. This report provides a detailed analysis of crime types and temporal patterns to help residents better understand their local safety environment.

Crime Breakdown in Retford

In Retford, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, accounting for 689 incidents or 35.3% of all reported crime. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 17.3%, followed by shoplifting at 10.4%. These figures indicate that interpersonal offences and public order issues are the primary drivers of crime in the town.

Property crime in Retford occurs at a rate of 28.9 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 32.9. This total includes 169 incidents of criminal damage and arson (8.7%), 118 other thefts (6.0%), 99 vehicle crimes (5.1%), and 82 burglaries (4.2%). While the overall property crime rate is relatively low, the combined impact of damage, theft, and burglary suggests that residents should remain proactive about protecting their assets. The moderate rate of shoplifting (8.4 per 1,000) reflects activity in the town's commercial centre. For homeowners, securing the property perimeter and vehicles is the most effective way to deter the damage and theft offences that characterise the local area.

Crime Trends in Retford

The crime rate in Retford has experienced a downward trend, decreasing by 12.8% over the past year. Monthly data shows some fluctuations; the year began with a rate of 7.5 in November 2024. Rates reached a peak of 8.0 in July 2025.

The year ended with a lower rate of 5.4 in October 2025. While there have been some monthly increases, the 12.8% year-over-year decrease is a positive indicator for the town. Retford remains a high-safety area with an 82/100 score, and the declining trend reinforces its status as a secure residential neighbourhood. Residents should continue to maintain high standards of property security to support this positive trend.

How To Keep Safe in Retford

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Retford, making up 35.3% of reports. While the area is safe with an 82/100 safety score, being aware of your surroundings and taking simple precautions is the best way to maintain personal security.

Consider these localized safety tips for Retford:

• Since burglary peaks in the afternoon (12 pm to 6 pm), always ensure that all windows and doors are double-locked before leaving the house for errands or work.
• Given that vehicle crime accounts for 37% of night-time reports, always park in a garage or a well-lit driveway, and consider using a physical steering lock as an extra deterrent.
• Keep the exterior of your property well-maintained and well-lit to deter the criminal damage and arson that make up 8.7% of local crime.
• Stay connected with your neighbours and join local safety groups to keep track of the 12.8% decrease in local crime and share information on any suspicious activity.
• When walking at night in the town centre, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit parks to maintain high personal safety.

Crime Timing in Retford

Crime in Retford follows distinct temporal patterns. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily influenced by theft and burglary. Between 12 pm and 6 pm, burglary accounts for 22% of reported incidents, while theft makes up 40%. This suggests that daytime opportunistic crime is a primary risk for residents.

As the day transitions into the evening (6 pm to 12 am), the focus shifts toward anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which fall under the 'other' category and make up 50% of reports. Night-time (12 am to 6 am) presents a different risk profile altogether. During these early hours, vehicle crime surges to 37% of all reported incidents, while burglary remains significant at 22%. This indicates that criminals target vehicles and homes under the cover of darkness. Residents can use this information to prioritize daytime home security and overnight vehicle protection.

Retford offers a safer alternative to the larger town of Worksop (136.3) in the district. It represents a more tranquil urban environment, where crime is less frequent and residential safety is higher. While it is more active than the rural village of Clarborough (32.9), it compares favourably to most urban centres in the region. For those looking for a market town environment with lower-than-average crime, Retford provides a secure choice. The 12.8% decrease in crime is a very positive sign for the town's continued safety. Neighbouring villages like Sutton cum Lound and Lound show negligible reported rates, reflecting the typical safety benefits of more rural settings.

Protecting Your Property in Retford

Retford benefits from a lower-than-average property crime rate of 28.9 per 1,000 people. However, the prevalence of criminal damage (8.7%), vehicle crime (5.1%), and burglary (4.2%) means that residents should take property security seriously. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV cameras, are reactive. They only alert you after an intruder has already attempted to break in or provide you with footage of the damage after it has been done.

To truly secure a home in Retford, proactive protection is required. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that monitors your property's perimeter in real-time. Instead of just recording a burglary at 2 pm—the peak time for break-ins in Retford—scOS can detect the threat as it enters your property and trigger an autonomous response, such as activating floodlights or an audible warning. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Because scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to learn your family’s routines and verify vehicles, it provides professional-grade security that prevents crime before it happens. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to address the specific property risks in the area.