Cotswold Crime Rate

The Cotswold district is one of the safest regions in the UK, with an overall crime rate of only 57.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the national average of 93.1, earning the area an excellent safety score of 87/100. Furthermore, the district is seeing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 5.4% year-over-year. Known for its picturesque villages and high quality of life, the Cotswolds offer a secure environment for residents and visitors alike. However, the area's affluence can occasionally attract specific types of property crime. The following report provides a deeper look into the crime statistics, helping you understand the local safety dynamics across this beautiful local authority area.

The Cotswold district is world-renowned for its rural beauty and affluent villages, factors that heavily influence its crime statistics. The area is characterised by low population density, high levels of tourism, and a largely residential and agricultural economy. Major employers are often related to the tourism and hospitality sectors, which bring a significant transient population of visitors to the region. While the district is generally very safe, its affluence can sometimes make it a target for specific property crimes like high-value burglary or vehicle theft. The lack of major urban centres means that crime is often dispersed across many small settlements, with very different profiles to the more concentrated crime found in nearby cities like Gloucester or Swindon.

In the Cotswold district, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crimes, making up 35.7% of the total (20.5 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour follows at 21.5%, with 'other theft' accounting for 7.5%. For property owners, the overall property crime rate is 17.7 per 1,000 people. This include burglary (6.1%), vehicle crime (5.2%), and shoplifting (4.7%). While the overall rates are low, the percentage of burglary is notable for such a rural area, suggesting that residential security remains a key concern for the local population. The combination of high-value properties and rural isolation can create unique vulnerabilities that residents need to address through modern security measures.

The Cotswold district is currently experiencing a downward trend in crime, with a 5.4% decrease in total offences over the past 12 months. Monthly data shows a relatively stable environment with minor seasonal fluctuations. The year began with low rates in November and December 2024 (4.5 and 4.0 per 1,000 respectively). There was a slight increase in activity during the spring and summer, peaking at 5.7 in May 2025. This pattern is typical for a tourist-heavy area, as higher visitor numbers in the warmer months can lead to a marginal increase in reported incidents. However, the rate quickly settled back to 4.6 by October 2025. This overall reduction is an encouraging sign for residents, indicating that the Cotswolds are becoming even safer over time. The consistent safety score of 87/100 reflects this sustained high level of security across the district.

The Cotswold district sits in a region of contrasting safety profiles. When compared to its immediate Gloucestershire neighbours like Cheltenham, Gloucester, Tewkesbury, and Stroud, as well as nearby Swindon and West Oxfordshire, the Cotswold rate of 57.6 per 1,000 remains impressively low. While many of these comparison areas are listed with 0.0 in this dataset, the Cotswolds' reputation for safety is well-founded when viewed against broader regional and national benchmarks. The district provides a much quieter and more secure alternative to the larger urban centres in the South West, making it a highly desirable location for those prioritising a low-crime environment.

In the Cotswold district, where the property crime rate is 17.7 per 1,000 people, residents often face the challenge of rural isolation. For many homeowners, traditional security systems like standard CCTV or basic alarms are insufficient because they are reactive. By the time you receive a notification that a camera has recorded a person on your property, the crime may already be underway. scOS offers a fundamentally different approach. As an AI-powered security operating system, scOS provides proactive protection by identifying potential threats at your property boundary. This is particularly valuable for the larger, more isolated homes common in the Cotswolds. The system uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all angles simultaneously and can distinguish between regular activity and a genuine threat. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously engage deterrents like lights and speakers, stopping the crime before it happens. For Cotswold residents, scOS transforms security from a recording tool into a preventative shield, ensuring that your home remains as safe as the statistics suggest.

How To Keep Safe in Cotswold

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in the Cotswold district, though the overall rate remains very low. Residents and visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in the larger towns like Cirencester or Moreton-in-Marsh during evening hours. With anti-social behaviour being the second most common issue, we recommend reporting any persistent problems to the local neighbourhood policing team. For the many rural properties in the area, burglary (6.1%) and vehicle crime (5.2%) are the primary property concerns. To mitigate these, ensure that all outbuildings and garages are securely locked and consider installing motion-activated lighting. Given the area's popularity with tourists, it is also wise to keep valuables out of sight in parked cars at popular walking spots. Staying connected with local 'Farm Watch' or 'Village Watch' schemes can also provide valuable community-led security updates.