Porthleven Crime Rate

Porthleven is a secure and welcoming coastal settlement with a high safety score of 87/100, significantly outperforming the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate in Porthleven is 54.1 per 1,000 people per year, which is substantially lower than the national average of 93.1. Current data indicates that the crime trend is stable, with only a 4.0% increase year-over-year. This consistency, combined with a property crime rate of just 11.7 per 1,000, makes Porthleven a safe environment for its 2,403 residents. While common urban issues exist at a low level, the area remains a peaceful location with crime rates that are well below national benchmarks.

Crime Breakdown in Porthleven

In Porthleven, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.9% of all reported incidents, with 61 crimes recorded annually. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, making up 20.0% of the total, followed by criminal damage and arson at 10.0%. These top three categories represent the majority of police activity in the area, reflecting typical patterns for a coastal settlement.

Property-related crime in Porthleven, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, is relatively low with an overall rate of 11.7 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly better than the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, 'other theft' accounts for 6.2% of total crime, while burglary and vehicle crime are both very rare, representing just 1.5% and 2.3% respectively. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and public order are the main focus areas, the risk to homes and vehicles is comparatively low. Nevertheless, maintaining standard property security is important to deter opportunistic crime, particularly during the busier tourist months.

Crime Trends in Porthleven

The crime trend in Porthleven is currently stable, with a year-over-year increase of only 4.0%. This indicates that the safety levels in the area have remained consistent over the past two years. Analysis of the monthly trend data shows that crime rates per 1,000 people fluctuate throughout the year, with a significant peak in May 2025 reaching 8.7.

Other months, such as December 2024 and February 2025, saw much lower rates of just 2.1 per 1,000 people. These fluctuations may be influenced by seasonal factors typical of a coastal settlement, with higher activity during late spring and summer months. Despite these peaks, the overall trend remains steady, and the area continues to be much safer than the UK average. For residents, this stability means that Porthleven remains a reliably low-crime environment, although staying aware of seasonal increases in activity can help maintain this high standard of safety.

How To Keep Safe in Porthleven

The most common crime in Porthleven is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly 47% of all recorded incidents. While the overall volume of crime is low, personal safety and public awareness are the most important factors for residents and visitors.

To stay safe in Porthleven, consider the following advice:

• Be Mindful in Crowds: During busy tourist seasons or local events, stay aware of your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure to prevent opportunistic theft or pickpocketing.
• Plan Your Route: When walking home at night, stick to well-lit main streets and avoid poorly lit coastal paths or alleyways.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: Since anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, reporting incidents early can help the local police manage public order more effectively.
• Secure Your Vehicle: Although vehicle crime is low, always ensure your car is locked and no valuables are left on display, especially in public car parks near the harbour.
• Look Out for Neighbours: In a close-knit community like Porthleven, keeping an eye on your neighbours' properties can significantly reduce the risk of criminal damage and arson.

Time Patterns of Crime in Porthleven

Crime in Porthleven displays specific temporal trends, with different offences peaking at different times of the day. Theft-related crimes are most prevalent during the daylight hours, accounting for 43% of morning incidents and 47% of afternoon crimes. This suggests that commercial areas and public spaces are most active for these types of offences when footfall is highest.

As the day progresses into the evening (6pm - 12am), the nature of crime shifts significantly toward 'other' types, which make up 70% of all activity during this window. Overnight (12am - 6am), there is a notable increase in the proportion of vehicle-related crime, which rises to 19% of all incidents. Burglary remains relatively consistent but is slightly more likely at night (12%) or in the afternoon (10%). For residents, these patterns highlight the need for increased vehicle security overnight and general vigilance in public areas during the busy afternoon hours.

In the local context, Porthleven's crime rate of 54.1 per 1,000 people makes it a safer alternative to the larger nearby town of Helston, which has a higher rate of 63.1. However, it is more active than the very small, rural settlements of Breage, Ashton, and Rose-in-the-bush, all of which recorded zero crimes (0.0 per 1,000) in the same period. For those looking for a coastal town that balances amenities with safety, Porthleven offers a secure profile that is typical of West Cornwall's residential areas, providing much higher safety levels than many other parts of the UK.

Porthleven has a property crime rate of 11.7 per 1,000, which is less than half the UK average. While this is reassuring, the stability of crime levels means residents should remain proactive about home security. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV cameras, are essentially reactive; they record footage of a crime that has already occurred, which often does little to prevent the loss or damage itself.

To truly secure your home in Porthleven, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered operating system. scOS doesn't just record; it detects threats at the property boundary using multi-camera intelligence. By identifying potential intruders before they reach your house, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—like turning on lights or playing audio alerts—to destroy the element of surprise. This proactive deterrence is far more effective at preventing burglary and vehicle crime than traditional recording systems. For Porthleven homeowners, scOS provides the technology needed to stay one step ahead of crime, ensuring your property remains as safe as the rest of this quiet coastal community.