Distington Crime Rate

Distington Crime Overview

Distington is a remarkably safe community with an overall crime rate of 44.6 per 1,000 people, which is less than half the UK average of 93.1. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 88/100, highlighting its status as one of the more secure settlements in the Copeland local authority. Most encouragingly, the crime trend is decreasing rapidly, with a 36.1% drop year-over-year. The property crime rate is exceptionally low at just 9.7 per 1,000, compared to the national average of 32.9. While violence and sexual offences remain the most frequent crime category, the overall volume of crime is low and falling, making Distington an increasingly peaceful and secure place for residents.

Crime Breakdown in Distington

Distington's crime statistics are primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which make up 46.4% of all reported incidents (32 crimes). Public order offences are also significant, accounting for 21.7% of the total, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.7%. These top three categories represent over three-quarters of the local crime volume.

Property-related crime—which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences—is notably low in Distington, with a rate of just 9.7 per 1,000 people. This is far below the UK average of 32.9. Burglary accounts for 4.3% of total crime (3 incidents), and other theft is similarly low at 4.3%. Vehicle crime is minimal, representing just 1.4% of reported incidents. For residents, this data indicates that Distington is a very secure area for property and assets. While the high percentage of public order and violent offences warrants personal awareness, the statistical risk of home intrusion or car theft is exceptionally low, making it a safe residential choice within the Copeland area.

Crime Trends in Distington

The crime trend in Distington is exceptionally positive, with a 36.1% decrease in total offences over the last 12-month period. Monthly data shows a consistent downward trajectory; the year began with a peak of 7.1 crimes per 1,000 people in February 2025, but by September 2025, this had dropped to just 0.7. Although there was a slight rise to 5.2 in July and August, the overall trend remains much lower than in previous years. This significant reduction in crime is a strong indicator of a safer and more stable community. For residents, this means that Distington is not only statistically safe by national standards but is also actively becoming more secure over time.

How To Keep Safe in Distington

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Distington, followed by public order offences. While the overall crime volume is low and decreasing, maintaining personal awareness is key to staying safe.

To enhance your safety in Distington, consider the following advice:

• Be Mindful in Public Spaces: When walking in the village, especially during the evening, stay alert and stick to well-lit main roads. Avoid isolated or unlit areas where possible.
• Secure Your Home in the Afternoon: Statistics show that burglary and theft are most likely to occur in the afternoon. Ensure all doors and windows are locked, even if you are just in the garden.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: Public order offences are the second most common crime type. Reporting incidents to the local non-emergency line helps the police monitor and address social issues before they escalate.
• Keep Vehicles Locked: Although vehicle crime is very low, always lock your car and remove any valuables from sight to prevent opportunistic attempts.
• Install Motion Lighting: Visible security measures like motion-activated lights can discourage anti-social behaviour and criminal damage near your property.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Distington

Crime in Distington follows a distinct daily cycle. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) is the most active for property-related offences, with theft (38%) and burglary (28%) reaching high levels. This suggests opportunistic activity when residents may be away from home. Morning hours also see significant theft at 37%. As the day transitions into evening and night, the focus shifts toward public order and 'Other' offences (57% in the evening). The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly significant for home security; although total crime volumes are low, this is when burglary reaches its highest relative percentage at 32%, and vehicle crime also peaks at 17%. These patterns indicate that while daytime vigilance is needed in public areas, robust home security is essential during the overnight hours.

Nearby Areas Comparison

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Distington offers a high level of safety. It has a lower crime rate than Parton (54.4) and High Harrington (63.5), making it a safer residential option than these nearby settlements. While the industrial and rural areas of Winscales and Lowca recorded zero crimes, Distington remains one of the safest built-up areas in the region. Its crime rate is far below the national average and shows a much stronger downward trend than many surrounding towns. For those looking for a secure community with a positive safety trajectory, Distington is a standout choice in the Copeland area.

Protecting Your Property in Distington

With a property crime rate of just 9.7 per 1,000, Distington is a very safe area, but the 36.1% decrease in overall crime shows that residents are benefiting from a more secure environment. To maintain this, a shift from reactive to proactive security is recommended. Traditional security measures like basic CCTV or doorbell cameras only record a crime as it happens. While this provides evidence, it does not prevent the initial breach or the distress caused by a break-in.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the ideal solution for Distington homeowners. By monitoring property boundaries in real-time, it can identify potential threats before they reach your home. For residents, the main benefit is deterrence; the system can autonomously activate lights or speakers to alert an intruder that they have been detected. This professional-grade approach ensures that your home remains a hard target, which is particularly effective against the rare instances of burglary or vehicle crime. By stopping threats at the boundary, scOS helps preserve the high safety standards of the Distington community.