Portreath Crime Rate

Portreath Crime Statistics

Portreath maintains a commendable safety profile with an overall crime rate of 68.8 per 1,000 residents, which sits significantly below the UK average of 93.1. This contributes to a robust safety score of 83/100, outperforming the national benchmark of 78. Despite these positive figures, the area has experienced a notable upward shift in crime frequency, with a 44.3% increase in incidents over the past year. This trend suggests that while Portreath remains a generally secure Cornwall settlement, there is a growing need for residents to stay vigilant. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and temporal patterns to help you understand the local safety landscape in depth.

Crime Breakdown in Portreath

Analysis of the local data reveals that violence and sexual offences are the most frequent incidents, accounting for 56 recorded crimes (49.1% of the total). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.3% and criminal damage and arson at 10.5%. While these figures reflect broader social challenges, they highlight the specific types of activity residents are most likely to encounter.

Property-related crime in Portreath, which encompasses burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, currently stands at a rate of 12.7 per 1,000 people. This includes 5 recorded burglaries and 4 instances of 'other theft'. For homeowners, this relatively low property crime rate is encouraging, yet the 10.5% share for criminal damage suggests that external property security remains a relevant concern. Maintaining a visible deterrent is often effective in discouraging the opportunistic activity that characterises these lower-volume crime categories.

Portreath Crime Trends

The crime data for Portreath indicates a significant upward trajectory, with a year-over-year increase of 44.3%. Looking at the monthly breakdown, the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated notably throughout 2025. The year started with relatively stable rates in January (6.6) and February (4.8), before dropping to a low of 2.4 in April. However, the late spring and summer months saw a sharp spike, reaching 9.1 crimes per 1,000 in both May and July.

This seasonal pattern suggests that crime volume may be linked to the increased footfall and tourism typical of the Cornish coast during the warmer months. As the year progressed into autumn, the rate remained somewhat elevated, with October recording 6.6. For residents, this trend highlights that while Portreath is generally safe, the increasing frequency of incidents—particularly during the summer—necessitates a more consistent and robust approach to personal and property security throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Portreath

The most prevalent crime type in Portreath is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly half of all reported incidents. While many of these may be contained within private settings or specific social contexts, maintaining personal awareness is essential.

1. Stay Aware in Public Spaces: When enjoying the beach or local trails, especially during the quieter winter months, stay aware of your surroundings and try to walk with others after dark.
2. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common issue (19.3%). Promptly reporting incidents to local authorities helps them map hotspots and allocate patrols more effectively.
3. Secure Your Property Boundaries: With criminal damage and burglary making up a significant portion of the remaining crime, ensure your gates are locked and external lighting is functional to discourage trespassing.
4. Be Mindful During Peak Season: Portreath sees higher activity in the summer. Keep personal belongings secure in public areas to prevent opportunistic theft.
5. Utilise Community Networks: Join local neighbourhood watch groups to stay informed about recent trends and share safety information with fellow residents.

Crime Timing in Portreath

Patterns of activity in Portreath show distinct temporal variations across different crime categories. Burglary, for instance, exhibits a notable concentration during the night (12am-6am), where it accounts for 37% of incidents in that period. Another peak for burglary occurs in the afternoon (12pm-6pm) at 29%. Conversely, theft is most prevalent during the morning and afternoon hours, likely coinciding with business operations and tourist activity. The evening hours see a shift towards 'other' crime types, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences, often peaking as people socialise. Understanding these windows of vulnerability allows residents to better timing their security checks and remain more alert during historically higher-risk periods.

Nearby Areas Comparison

When looking at the surrounding Cornwall landscape, Portreath (68.8 crimes per 1,000) occupies a mid-range position. It is considerably safer than Pool and Illogan, which sees a much higher rate of 120.5, and slightly more active than Tolvaddon at 56.0. Interestingly, nearby Illogan reports a lower rate of 42.2, while Cambrose remains an outlier with 0.0 recorded crimes per 1,000 people. For those considering the region, Portreath offers a significantly more secure environment than the larger urban hubs nearby, though it does not quite match the near-zero crime levels of the smallest surrounding hamlets. This context helps frame Portreath as a safe residential option with a manageable level of local activity.

Home Security in Portreath

With property crime in Portreath currently at 12.7 per 1,000 residents, the risk to homeowners is lower than the national average, yet the recent 44.3% increase in overall crime warrants a serious approach to security. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a coastal community like Portreath, where response times can vary, proactive protection is far more effective.

The scOS operating system transforms standard security into an AI-powered preventative shield. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. Unlike reactive systems that merely notify you of a finished event, scOS uses autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to destroy the element of surprise. For Portreath residents, especially those with properties that may be unoccupied during certain seasons, this proactive intelligence ensures that your home is not just watched, but actively defended against opportunistic intruders.