Settle Crime Rate

Settle Crime Overview

Settle is a safe and active urban settlement with a safety score of 87/100, which is well above the UK average of 78/100. The town maintains an overall crime rate of 63.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 93.1. However, recent data shows an increasing trend in criminal activity, with a 25.5% rise year-over-year. While Settle remains a secure location, this upward trajectory highlights the importance of staying informed about local crime patterns. Property crime, including theft, burglary, and vehicle crime, follows specific temporal cycles that residents and business owners should understand to better protect their interests. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics and trends.

Crime Breakdown in Settle

In Settle, the most common crime type is anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 35.2% of all reported incidents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 27.3% and other theft at 10.2%. These figures indicate that community conduct and personal safety are the primary focus for local residents and law enforcement.

Property-related crime in Settle is a notable factor, with a combined rate of 19.7 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting (7.8%), burglary (4.7%), vehicle crime (3.9%), and other theft. For residents and business owners, the data reveals specific temporal risks: theft-related offences are extremely high during the morning and afternoon, accounting for 58% and 61% of crimes respectively. In contrast, vehicle crime and burglary peak during the night-time hours, with vehicle crime making up 38% of all night-time offences. This suggests that while daytime focus should be on preventing theft and shoplifting, night-time security should prioritise protecting vehicles and homes from opportunistic break-ins.

Crime Trends in Settle

The crime trend in Settle is currently increasing, with a 25.5% rise in total offences over the past year. Analysis of the monthly trend data shows some fluctuation, with a significant peak in June 2025 (8.4) and January 2025 (7.4). Conversely, the lowest activity was recorded in March 2025 (3.0). Despite the upward trend, the crime rate per 1,000 residents remains well below the UK average. However, the consistent rise in activity over the last twelve months suggests that residents should remain vigilant and consider enhancing their personal and property security measures to adapt to the changing crime landscape.

How To Keep Safe in Settle

Anti-social behaviour is the most common crime type in Settle, followed by violence and sexual offences. While the overall volume is low, these tips can help maintain your personal and property safety.

1. Daytime Theft Prevention: With theft and shoplifting peaking in the morning and afternoon, always keep personal belongings secure and ensure business premises are well-monitored.
2. Night-time Security: Vehicle crime and burglary account for a large portion of night-time incidents. Ensure all vehicles are locked and homes are fully secured before bed.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the most common issue. Reporting incidents to the police or local council helps them monitor patterns and prevent more serious crimes from developing.
4. Business Vigilance: For shop owners, maintaining a visible presence and using modern security systems can help deter shoplifting, which is a notable factor in the local statistics.
5. Community Connection: Stay in touch with your neighbours and local business groups. A community that looks out for each other is one of the best deterrents against opportunistic crime.

Temporal Crime Patterns in Settle

Crime in Settle exhibits distinct temporal trends. Theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are most common during the daylight hours, peaking in the morning (58%) and afternoon (61%). Vehicle crime and burglary both show a very sharp increase at night (12 am - 6 am), accounting for 38% and 29% of all crimes reported in that period respectively. Evening hours see a rise in anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. This data suggests that residents and business owners should be particularly vigilant about their properties overnight and ensure that commercial premises are well-secured during the busy morning and afternoon periods. Understanding these patterns allows for more targeted and effective security measures.

Local Context: Nearby Areas

In the local context of the Craven local authority, Settle is one of the more active settlements, likely due to its status as a commercial and transport hub for the surrounding area. Its crime rate of 63.0 per 1,000 is higher than nearby Giggleswick (52.1) and Hellifield (40.5). It is significantly higher than the very quiet rural settlements of Long Preston and Austwick, both of which recorded no crimes (0.0 per 1,000) during the same period. This comparison indicates that while Settle is very safe on a national scale, it experiences more criminal activity than its immediate, more residential neighbours.

Proactive Protection for Settle Homes and Businesses

Settle's property crime rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents, combined with a 25.5% increase in overall crime, suggests that property owners should take security seriously. The data shows that theft-related offences are most common during the day, while burglary and vehicle crime peak at night. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV, are reactive; they record the crime as it happens, but do nothing to stop it. By the time you watch the footage, the damage is already done.

For those who want to maintain the safety of Settle, a proactive AI security system like scOS is the ideal solution. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary, not after an entry has been made. If a suspicious individual is detected near your car at night or your shop door during the day, the system can autonomously activate lights and speakers to deter them. This shift from recording to prevention is essential for true security, ensuring that your property is actively defended 24/7.