Stow-on-the-Wold Crime Rate

Stow-on-the-Wold is a safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 78.2 per 1,000 people per year. This is lower than the UK average of 93.1, contributing to a solid safety score of 84/100, which exceeds the national average of 78. The area has seen a stable trend in its safety profile, with a slight 2.0% decrease in total crime year-over-year. With a population of nearly 2,000, Stow-on-the-Wold offers a generally secure environment, though the prevalence of certain crime types like burglary suggests a need for targeted awareness. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to help residents understand their local safety context.

Crime Breakdown in Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold's crime profile is significantly influenced by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 28.0% of all recorded incidents at a rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents. Violence and sexual offences are also common, making up 26.7% of the total. Of particular note is the high burglary rate, which represents 11.3% of all crime, making it a primary concern for local homeowners.

Property-related crime in Stow-on-the-Wold is a major factor, with an overall rate of 27.1 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary (8.9 per 1,000), shoplifting (8.0%), and other theft (7.3%). The combined property crime rate is relatively high for a settlement of this size, indicating that residents and businesses face a persistent risk of theft and break-ins. Burglary, in particular, peaks significantly during the night-time hours, accounting for over half of all crimes between midnight and 6am. Residents should prioritise robust home security to protect their properties and deter opportunistic offenders who may be active in the area.

Crime Trends in Stow-on-the-Wold

Stow-on-the-Wold is currently experiencing a stable trend in its safety profile, with total crime decreasing by a slight 2.0% year-over-year. This suggests that the area remains a consistently secure community with no significant surges in activity. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows that the crime rate has fluctuated moderately.

The highest peak in 2025 occurred in October, with a rate of 11.5 per 1,000 residents, while May also saw a notable rate of 10.4. Conversely, the crime rate dropped to its lowest point in December 2024, reaching just 2.6 per 1,000. For most of 2025, the rate has stayed between 4.7 and 8.4. These fluctuations are typical for a settlement of this size and do not indicate a long-term increase in crime. For residents, this stability provides reassurance that the local security environment is well-managed and remains safer than the UK average.

How To Keep Safe in Stow-on-the-Wold

The most common crime type in Stow-on-the-Wold is anti-social behaviour. To maintain personal safety and help protect the community, residents should consider the following advice.

1. Focus on Burglary Prevention: Since burglary is a significant local concern and peaks at night (54% of night-time incidents), ensure your home is fully secured before bed. Use high-quality locks and consider a proactive security system.
2. Theft Awareness: Shoplifting and other theft account for over 15% of crime and are most common during the day. Be vigilant with your belongings in public spaces and ensure business premises are well-monitored.
3. Report ASB: Anti-social behaviour is the top crime type. Reporting these incidents early can help the police identify patterns and prevent more serious crimes from occurring.
4. Lighting as a Deterrent: Use motion-activated external lighting around your property. This is particularly effective at night when burglary risk is at its highest.
5. Community Vigilance: Join a local Neighbourhood Watch. In a community like Stow, resident awareness is a powerful tool against opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour.

In Stow-on-the-Wold, the nature of crime changes significantly depending on the time of day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 41% to 45% of all recorded incidents. However, as the day moves into the evening and night, property crimes like burglary become much more prominent. Specifically, during the night-time hours (12am-6am), burglary accounts for 54% of all crimes, which is its highest proportion of the day. This suggests that while daytime risks are focused on general theft and shoplifting in the town centre, the night-time poses a very high risk for residential properties. Residents should ensure their security measures are most active during these late-night hours.

In the local context of the Cotswolds, Stow-on-the-Wold is a more active hub compared to its smaller neighbours. It has a higher crime rate than nearby Bourton-on-the-Water, which stands at 41.1 per 1,000 residents. The very small nearby settlements of Broadwell, Upper Oddington, and Longborough all recorded zero crimes in the same period, which is typical for tiny rural communities. Stow-on-the-Wold provides a safe residential and commercial centre with more amenities, but its position as a larger settlement means it experiences more criminal activity. Its safety score of 84/100 remains very good compared to wider UK averages, making it a secure choice for residents.

Stow-on-the-Wold's property crime rate of 27.1 per 1,000 residents, with burglary accounting for over 11% of total crime, highlights a significant need for effective home security. Of particular concern is the fact that burglary peaks dramatically at night, accounting for 54% of all night-time incidents. Traditional security systems, which often only record footage after an intruder has already entered your property, may not be enough to prevent these break-ins.

For Stow-on-the-Wold homeowners, scOS offers a proactive solution. This AI-powered home security operating system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries, scOS can detect suspicious activity in real-time. Its autonomous response features, such as activating deterrent lights or speakers, can warn off a potential burglar before they even touch your door. In an area where burglary is a primary threat, the prevention-first approach of scOS provides the most robust protection for your home and family, ensuring you are notified of real threats before they escalate.