Whitehaven Crime Rate

Whitehaven Crime Overview

Whitehaven currently presents an overall crime rate of 101.7 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the UK national average of 93.1. The town has a safety score of 75/100, reflecting a generally secure environment for its population of 23,198. One of the key data points is the trend direction, which is currently stable with a slight 2.7% decrease in crime year-over-year. Property-related crime, including burglary and vehicle theft, stands at a rate of 22.7 per 1,000, which is lower than the UK average of 32.9. This suggests that while violent and public order offences are higher, property crime is less of a dominant issue, though criminal damage remains a specific area of concern for the community.

Crime Breakdown in Whitehaven

In Whitehaven, the top three crime categories are violence and sexual offences (46.9%), public order offences (11.6%), and anti-social behaviour (9.9%). Together, these account for over two-thirds of all reported incidents. Property-related crime is also a factor, with a combined rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents. This includes 218 cases of criminal damage, 124 instances of 'other theft', and 36 burglaries. While the burglary rate is relatively low, the high rate of criminal damage at 9.4 per 1,000 is a significant concern. Residents should focus on protecting their homes from damage and opportunistic theft, particularly given that criminal damage accounts for 9.2% of all reported crime in the local area.

Whitehaven Crime Trends

The crime trend in Whitehaven is currently stable, with a slight 2.7% decrease in total crimes year-over-year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked in November 2024 at 11.1 per 1,000 residents, followed by a period of fluctuation through the spring and summer. By October 2025, the rate was at 8.6. This stable trend suggests that crime levels are remaining relatively consistent, and the town continues to be a safe place to live. Residents should be aware that while there is no major upward trend, the town continues to maintain its current safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Whitehaven

The most prevalent crime in Whitehaven is violence and sexual offences, which often occurs in public spaces. To enhance your personal safety, consider these actionable tips:

• Stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the town centre, especially during late-night hours when public order incidents are more frequent.
• Given the high rate of violence and sexual offences, avoid poorly-lit areas and try to stick to busy, well-lit routes when travelling at night.
• Secure your home with high-quality locks on all doors and windows, and consider an AI-powered security system that can detect and deter intruders at your property boundary.
• Report any anti-social behaviour or public order incidents to the local police immediately; consistent reporting helps them target patrols more effectively.
• Be mindful of your personal safety when visiting busy coastal areas, especially during peak season when public order offences may increase.

Whitehaven Time Patterns

Crime in Whitehaven follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft is the most prominent issue, accounting for 46% of all reported incidents. This is likely tied to the opening of local businesses and increased pedestrian traffic. As the day progresses into the afternoon, theft rates remain high at 50% of crimes in that period. However, the most significant shift occurs at night (12am-6am), when vehicle crime surges to represent 20% of all offences. This night-time spike suggests that unattended vehicles are the primary target for criminals during the early hours. Overall, the evening hours (6pm-12am) see the highest volume of 'other' crimes, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences, accounting for 65% of incidents in that window.

Regional Context: Whitehaven

In the context of the surrounding Cumbria area, Whitehaven is one of the more active urban hubs. Its crime rate of 101.7 per 1,000 is higher than nearby Parton (54.4), Moor Row (34.1), and Cleator Moor (72.0). This positions Whitehaven as a central hub for law enforcement in the region. The stable trend in crime, with a slight 2.7% decrease, is consistent with the broader safety profile of the district. For those looking at the region, Whitehaven offers an urban coastal setting with a relatively high level of public safety, making it a viable choice for residents and businesses.

Protecting Your Whitehaven Home

With a property crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 people, residents in Whitehaven should consider the limitations of traditional security measures. Standard CCTV systems and video doorbells are reactive; they provide you with a recording of your burglary or vehicle theft after it has happened. In an area where violence and public order are among the top crime types, reactive systems are often insufficient to prevent incidents. The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property line. Rather than waiting for a break-in or damage, scOS identifies suspicious patterns and intervenes autonomously using integrated lights and speakers. This "boundary-first" approach is designed to stop crime before it starts, which is far more valuable than simply having a recording of the incident. For homeowners in Whitehaven, shifting from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to secure their property and family.