Rugeley Crime Rate

Rugeley Crime Overview

Rugeley currently enjoys a high level of safety, with an overall crime rate of 85.4 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This is further reflected in the town's impressive safety score of 79/100, placing it above the UK average of 78. However, it is important to note that the crime trend in Rugeley is increasing significantly, with a year-over-year rise of 16.6%. Property crime remains low at 27.5 per 1,000, below the national benchmark of 32.9. This suggests that while Rugeley is a safe place to live, residents should be aware of the recent sharp upward trend in criminal activity. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of these statistics.

Crime Breakdown in Rugeley

Rugeley's crime landscape is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.2% and shoplifting at 10.6%. Together, these three categories make up approximately 65% of the total crime in the area.

Property crime in Rugeley is relatively low, with a rate of 27.5 per 1,000 people, which is better than the UK national average of 32.9. This total includes shoplifting (10.6%), vehicle crime (7.0%), other theft (4.3%), and criminal damage and arson (5.7%). Burglary is quite rare, accounting for only 2.6% of total reported crimes. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns for local authorities, the risk to homes is lower than in many other UK urban settlements. However, the high rate of vehicle crime, especially during night-time hours, remains a focus for local safety. The significant increasing trend in overall crime further highlights the need for proactive security measures.

Rugeley Crime Trends

The crime trend in Rugeley is currently increasing significantly, with a sharp year-over-year rise of 16.6%. This upward trajectory suggests that residents should be more vigilant and proactive about their safety than in previous years.

Looking at the monthly data for 2024 and 2025, the crime rate has shown a clear upward trend. The lowest point was in February 2025, recording a rate of 5.6 per 1,000. Since then, the rate has increased significantly, peaking at 8.2 in May 2025. While there was a slight dip back to 5.9 by October 2025, the overall level of activity remains much higher than the previous period. This consistent increase throughout the year highlights the importance of maintaining good security habits.

How To Keep Safe in Rugeley

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Rugeley, accounting for over 42% of all reports. While the town is generally safe, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal security.

1. Be Aware in Public Spaces: When walking through the town centre or near retail areas, stay alert to your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure to prevent opportunistic theft.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Given that vehicle crime is a major concern at night, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area or garage if possible.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most frequent issue; reporting these incidents promptly helps local authorities allocate resources and manage public spaces.
4. Improve Home Lighting: Use motion-activated or dusk-to-dawn lighting around your property's exterior to eliminate hiding spots for potential intruders.
5. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on local crime trends and community safety alerts to stay aware of any specific issues in your neighbourhood, especially given the recent increasing trend.

Rugeley Crime Timing Patterns

Crime in Rugeley follows specific temporal trends. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the primary concern at 33%, followed by vehicle crime at 27%. Afternoon hours see theft-related offences rise further to 38%, while burglary also reaches 18% of activity in this period.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order—make up 48% of total reports. However, the night-time period (12am - 6am) shows a dramatic shift toward vehicle crime, which surges to account for 53% of all incidents. This suggests that while daytime activity is largely focused on retail and commercial theft, the hours of darkness pose a very specific and significant risk to vehicle owners in the area.

Nearby Areas Comparison

In the local Staffordshire context, Rugeley (85.4) is the primary urban centre, which naturally results in a higher crime rate than its more rural neighbours. Nearby Hill Ridware (33.1) and Little Haywood (37.2) both offer much lower crime rates. The villages of Colton and Upper Longdon reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, reflecting the extreme safety of the surrounding countryside. However, despite being the busiest area in the vicinity, Rugeley’s crime rate remains below the national average. For those seeking the amenities of a large town with a level of safety that rivals many suburban areas, Rugeley offers an excellent balance compared to other major settlements in the region.

Proactive Security in Rugeley

Despite its high safety score, Rugeley's property crime rate of 27.5 per 1,000 and its significant increasing trend of 16.6% mean that residents should take a proactive approach to home security. Vehicle crime accounts for 7.0% of all incidents, with a massive spike occurring during the night-time hours, making up over half of all night-time incidents. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or reactive cameras, often only alert you after a crime has already taken place.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS provides a much more effective defence. By monitoring your property's boundaries with multi-camera intelligence, scOS can detect a potential intruder or car thief the moment they step onto your driveway. The system doesn't just record the event; it can autonomously trigger responses like activating floodlights or a warning speaker to stop the crime before it happens. For Rugeley homeowners, this AI-driven prevention is the best way to counteract the local increase in crime and ensure their property is never an easy target.