Longtown Crime Rate

Longtown Crime Overview

Longtown has a safety score of 78/100, which is exactly in line with the UK national average. The overall crime rate is 91.8 per 1,000 residents per year, positioning it as slightly safer than the national average of 93.1. Most encouragingly, the crime trend is currently decreasing, with a significant 15.2% reduction year-over-year. This downward trajectory indicates that Longtown is becoming a more secure environment for its 2,983 residents. While the town experiences typical urban challenges like personal offences and criminal damage, property crime rates are moderate. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime statistics, temporal patterns, and specific safety advice for those living and working in Longtown.

Crime Breakdown in Longtown

In Longtown, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 40.5% of all reports (37.2 per 1,000 residents). Criminal damage and arson follow at 15.3%, with public order offences representing 14.6% of the total.

The overall property crime rate in Longtown is 27.2 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage. Notably, criminal damage is a significant issue here, making up over 15% of all reported crimes. Other theft (8.4%) and burglary (3.3%) also contribute to the local property crime mix. For residents, these figures indicate that protecting the home and property from vandalism and opportunistic theft is a key security concern. While vehicle crime is relatively low (1.5%), the high percentage of criminal damage suggests that exterior property security is a priority for maintaining a safe household. Most property-related risks are concentrated in the afternoon hours.

Crime Trends in Longtown

The crime trend in Longtown is currently decreasing, with a significant 15.2% reduction in total offences over the last 12 months. This is a very positive indicator for the area, showing a clear improvement in the local safety profile.

Monthly trendData shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between a low of 5.4 in September 2025 and a notable peak of 13.4 in July 2025. Other busier months included October (9.7) and August (9.4). This shows a slight increase in reports during the summer months, a common seasonal pattern. However, the overall trajectory remains downward, reinforcing Longtown's reputation as an increasingly safe community for its residents.

How To Keep Safe in Longtown

The most common crime category in Longtown is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.5% of reports. While the overall volume of crime is moderate, personal safety and awareness are recommended.

1. When walking in the town centre at night, stay in well-lit areas and avoid poorly lit side streets or unlit footpaths.
2. Criminal damage and arson represent 15.3% of reports; use motion-activated lighting and secure fencing to discourage opportunistic vandalism around your property.
3. Public order offences account for 14.6% of local crime; if you encounter aggressive behaviour, it is best to avoid confrontation and move to a more public area or seek assistance.
4. Vehicle crime risks increase at night (14% of reports); always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area, and never leave valuables on display.
5. Join a local community watch group to stay informed about specific crime trends and share information with your neighbours to help maintain the town's safety.

Crime Timing in Longtown

Crime in Longtown follows specific temporal patterns. Morning and afternoon are the peak times for theft-related offences, which account for 45% and 47% of crimes in these periods respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely to occur during daylight hours when the town is most active.

During the night (12am - 6am), the crime mix shifts toward property-related risks. Burglary reaches its highest concentration at 19% of all night-time reports, and vehicle crime accounts for 14%. Combined, these two categories make up a third of the crime reported in the early morning hours. This data highlights the importance of securing your home and vehicle overnight, even in a relatively safe town. Understanding these shifts can help residents decide when to be most vigilant about their property's security.

Nearby Area Comparison

As a local hub, Longtown has a higher crime footprint than its surrounding rural villages. Its rate of 91.8 per 1,000 is significantly higher than nearby Blackbank, Gretna, Harker, and Canonbie, which all report negligible crime. However, Longtown remains a safer alternative to the larger Carlisle urban area (115.4), offering a quieter and more secure environment while still providing essential local services and transport links for the northern part of the district.

Professional Security in Longtown

With a property crime rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents, Longtown homeowners should focus on preventative security measures. While burglary is relatively low, criminal damage and theft account for a significant portion of property-related reports. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, recording a crime only after it has been committed, which may not prevent vandalism or loss.

scOS provides a proactive solution using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record; it identifies genuine threats and distinguishes them from routine activities. If a threat is detected—such as someone loitering near your property at night or attempting to damage exterior fixtures—scOS can autonomously engage deterrents like high-intensity lighting and audio warnings. This immediate response is designed to stop a criminal before they act, providing a level of professional protection that is much more effective than traditional recording-only systems for residents in Longtown.