Congleton Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Congleton

Congleton reports an overall crime rate of 73.9 per 1,000 residents annually, which is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This positions Congleton as a relatively safer built-up area compared to the national picture. The safety score for Congleton is 81 out of 100, exceeding the UK average safety score of 78, indicating a generally positive perception of safety among its residents. Furthermore, the crime trend in Congleton is decreasing, having seen a reduction of 9.8% year-over-year. These statistics provide a clear overview of the local crime landscape, highlighting both its current safety levels and a positive trajectory.

Crime Type Analysis in Congleton

In Congleton, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crimes, accounting for 48.3% of the total, or 35.7 incidents per 1,000 residents. Public order offences follow at 11.8% (8.7 per 1,000), and Anti-social behaviour represents 8.8% (6.5 per 1,000) of all crimes. These three categories collectively form a significant portion of the criminal activity in Congleton, indicating the primary areas of concern within the community.

Property-related crime in Congleton has a combined rate of 17.8 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes burglary (2.7 per 1,000), other theft (4.0 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2.2 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (3.8 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.3 per 1,000), robbery (0.5 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.5 per 1,000). The significantly lower property crime rate is a reassuring factor for residents and homeowners, suggesting a reduced risk of offences against their homes and possessions compared to the broader national context. Understanding these patterns can help residents focus preventative efforts effectively.

Crime Trend Analysis in Congleton

Congleton has experienced a positive and decreasing crime trend over the last year, with a significant reduction of 9.8% in overall crime year-over-year. A review of the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents illustrates this improvement. In late 2024, rates were around 6.4 in October and 6.5 in November, dipping to 5.7 in December and reaching a low of 5.0 in February 2025. Following this, there was a notable spike to 7.7 in March, before generally declining again through the summer and autumn, ending at 5.3 in September 2025. Despite occasional fluctuations, the overall pattern demonstrates a positive downward trajectory. For residents, this decreasing trend is a reassuring indicator, suggesting ongoing improvements in local safety and a reduced likelihood of encountering crime.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Congleton

Crime patterns in Congleton exhibit distinct variations throughout the day. During the Morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 48% of crimes, followed by burglary at 13% and vehicle crime at 13%. This period aligns with typical working hours when commercial areas become active and residential properties may be unoccupied. The Afternoon (12pm-6pm) period continues to see high rates of theft at 50%, alongside a rise in burglary to 22%, suggesting continued opportunistic crime during peak shopping and activity hours.

As the day transitions into the Evening (6pm-12am), there's a shift in crime dynamics. 'Other' crimes, potentially encompassing public order and anti-social behaviour, become dominant at 44% of incidents. Theft reduces to 22%, while vehicle crime and burglary remain significant at 13% and 20% respectively. This pattern often corresponds with increased social activity and nightlife. During the Night (12am-6am), vehicle crime peaks at 33%, followed by 'Other' crimes at 31% and burglary at 25%. Theft drops further to 10%. These hours suggest heightened vulnerability for vehicles and unattended properties under the cover of darkness.

Regional Crime Comparison

Congleton's crime statistics can be understood within the context of its surrounding areas. With an overall crime rate of 73.9 per 1,000 residents, Congleton generally presents a safer profile than some larger urban centres, but is comparable to or slightly higher than its immediate, more rural neighbours. For instance, areas like Somerford and Brereton Heath, The Bank, Scholar Green, and Harriseahead, Mow Cop and Newchapel, typically exhibit lower crime rates, often due to their smaller populations and more rural settings. Congleton, as a market town, experiences a level of activity and population density that influences its crime statistics, placing it within a moderate range for the region. This comparison helps residents gauge local safety in a regional context, highlighting the variations between urban and more rural communities.

Home Security and Protection

With Congleton's property crime rate at 17.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly below the national average, it remains important for homeowners to consider robust security measures. Simply recording a crime after it happens, as many traditional CCTV systems do, is a reactive approach. For effective protection, the focus should be on preventing the crime in the first place.

Modern AI-powered home security operating systems, such as scOS, offer a proactive defence. These systems are designed to detect potential threats at your property's perimeter, intervening before an intrusion can occur. By utilising multi-camera intelligence, scOS ensures comprehensive coverage, while advanced pattern learning distinguishes between routine activities and genuine threats, minimising false alarms. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can help identify suspicious vehicles. This professional-grade deterrence is engineered to destroy the element of surprise for burglars, with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers to make them move on within 60 seconds. The right security system makes that 60-second decision easy for burglars – they move on, rather than attempting to enter your property. Investing in such proactive security provides a significantly enhanced level of protection against property crime compared to purely reactive solutions.