Moreton-in-Marsh Crime Rate

Moreton-in-Marsh is a safe and well-established settlement with an overall crime rate of 73.4 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 82/100. The area has seen a positive trend recently, with reported crime decreasing by 10.8% year-over-year. As a key market town in the Cotswolds, its statistics are influenced by its role as a local commercial hub and transport link, yet it maintains a safety profile well above the national benchmark. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and temporal patterns within the community.

Crime in Moreton-in-Marsh

The most significant crime categories in Moreton-in-Marsh are violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.3% of all reports, followed by anti-social behaviour at 20.2%, and public order offences at 6.6%. While these figures reflect broader national trends, the volume of incidents remains relatively low compared to urban centres.

Property crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 18.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting that while residents should remain vigilant, the risk to homes and personal property is comparatively modest. For homeowners, the presence of shoplifting (6.6%) and other theft (4.8%) indicates that commercial and opportunistic crimes are the primary drivers of property-related statistics in the area.

Crime Trends in Moreton-in-Marsh

Crime in Moreton-in-Marsh is currently on a downward trajectory, with a notable 10.8% decrease in total reported incidents over the last 12 months. This reduction suggests that local law enforcement and community safety initiatives are having a positive impact on the settlement.

Looking at the monthly data from late 2024 through 2025, the crime rate per 1,000 residents remained consistently low. The year began with very low figures in November (3.2) and December (4.6), before experiencing a seasonal rise in the spring. Rates peaked in April and May, reaching 7.8 and 8.6 respectively, before stabilising back to around 6.5 towards the end of 2025. This spring-time spike is a common seasonal pattern in many UK towns. The overall annual decrease, despite these monthly fluctuations, indicates a robust safety profile for the area.

How To Keep Safe in Moreton-in-Marsh

The most common crime in Moreton-in-Marsh is violence and sexual offences. While the overall numbers are low, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly during evening hours.

1. When walking home at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit alleys or parks.
2. If you are socialising in local venues, always keep your drinks in sight and stay with your group of friends.
3. Trust your instincts; if a situation or person makes you feel uncomfortable, move to a busy, public area or enter a shop to seek assistance.
4. Ensure your home is secure at night by locking all ground-floor windows and doors, even if you are inside.
5. Report any suspicious behaviour or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local police to help them identify and address emerging patterns.

Crime Timing in Moreton-in-Marsh

An analysis of crime timing in Moreton-in-Marsh reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is the most active period for theft, accounting for 41% of such incidents, likely coinciding with peak hours for local shops and services. Vehicle crime shows a significant spike during the night (12am - 6am), with 43% of these offences occurring when surveillance is naturally lower and streets are quieter.

Interestingly, burglary is most prevalent in the afternoon (21%) and night (19%), suggesting offenders target homes both when residents are away at work and when they are asleep. The evening period (6pm - 12am) is dominated by 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, making up 51% of reports during these hours. These patterns suggest that while daytime focuses on opportunistic theft, the late hours are more prone to vehicle-related and social-order incidents.

When compared to the surrounding rural settlements, Moreton-in-Marsh serves as the primary population and commercial centre. Nearby areas like Longborough, Broadwell, and Paxford recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, reflecting their very small, quiet residential nature. Blockley, while more active than the smaller villages with a rate of 45.2, still remains quieter than Moreton-in-Marsh. The slightly higher rate in Moreton-in-Marsh is typical for a town that hosts more shops, services, and a railway station, which naturally attracts more transient activity than the purely residential hamlets nearby.

Protecting Your Property in Moreton-in-Marsh

With a property crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 residents, Moreton-in-Marsh is safer than much of the UK, but homeowners should not become complacent. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they provide you with a recording of a crime after it has already taken place. In a close-knit community, the goal should be prevention rather than evidence collection.

Modern AI-powered systems like scOS offer a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor the boundaries of your property, scOS can identify potential threats before a break-in occurs. Features such as autonomous responses—activating lights or speakers when an intruder is detected—can destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area like Moreton-in-Marsh, where burglary is low but still present, a visible, intelligent security presence often encourages opportunistic offenders to move on to easier targets. Investing in proactive protection ensures that your home remains a deterrent, keeping your family and belongings secure.