Brierley Hill Crime Rate

Brierley Hill is a busy urban settlement and major retail hub with an overall crime rate of 118.7 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.7. The area has a safety score of 71/100, indicating that it is less safe than the national average. However, recent data shows a positive trend, with crime rates decreasing by 6.9% year-over-year. Property crime is a major concern, with a rate of 51.7 per 1,000, well above the UK average of 32.3. Violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, followed by exceptionally high levels of shoplifting and significant vehicle crime. For the population of 30,710, these figures highlight the importance of robust personal and residential security. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics and temporal patterns to help residents stay informed and secure.

Crime Breakdown in Brierley Hill

Brierley Hill experiences a high volume of crime, with violence and sexual offences being the most significant category, accounting for 37.3% of all recorded incidents (44.2 per 1,000 residents). Shoplifting is the second most common report at 16.1% (19.1 per 1,000), followed by vehicle crime at 8.3% (9.8 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour also represents a notable portion of local crime at 7.6%.

The overall property crime rate in Brierley Hill is high at 51.7 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson (7.1%), other theft (5.5%), and burglary (4.2%). For residents and homeowners, the data indicates that property-related risks are substantial. Shoplifting is particularly prominent, reflecting the area's role as a major regional retail hub. However, vehicle crime and burglary together represent a persistent threat to those in residential areas. With a property crime rate well above the national average, maintaining high-level security for both homes and vehicles is essential for the 30,710 residents living in this busy urban settlement.

Crime Trends in Brierley Hill

Brierley Hill is experiencing a positive downward trend in criminal activity, with a 6.9% decrease in total incidents year-over-year. This reduction is an encouraging sign for the area's 30,710 residents, suggesting that local safety and policing measures are having an impact.

A review of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates remained relatively consistent throughout the year. The highest activity was recorded in May 2025, peaking at 10.9 crimes per 1,000 people, while the lowest rate occurred in November 2025, at 8.1 per 1,000. These fluctuations are typical for a major retail area, where shopping activity and seasonal peaks often influence report volumes. Despite these monthly variations, the overall trajectory remains downward, suggesting a gradual improvement in the area's security environment over the past 12 months.

How To Keep Safe in Brierley Hill

The highest crime category in Brierley Hill is violence and sexual offences. To maintain your safety in this busy urban and retail area, consider the following practical tips:

• Be Aware in Retail Centres: When visiting major shopping areas, stay observant of your surroundings, especially during peak hours. Keep personal belongings secure to avoid opportunistic theft.
• Secure Your Vehicle Overnight: With vehicle crime peaking at 53% during the night (12am-6am), always use a garage or secure driveway if available. Use visible deterrents like steering wheel locks.
• Focus on Afternoon Home Security: Burglary is most common in the afternoon (12pm-6pm). Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you are away from home, even for short periods.
• Install Proactive Security: Given the high property crime rate, consider an AI-powered system that can detect and deter intruders at your property boundary before a break-in is attempted.
• Report Shoplifting and Suspicious Activity: Reporting retail crime and suspicious behaviour helps local police and businesses maintain a safer environment for everyone in the community.

Crime in Brierley Hill shows distinct temporal patterns that are typical of a major retail and urban centre. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent at 38%, with vehicle crime at 25%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft increases to 43% and burglary peaks at 21%. Evening hours (6pm-12am) are dominated by 'other' crime types, including anti-social behaviour and violence, which make up 42% of the reports. The most critical data point for vehicle owners is the night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime surges to 53% of all recorded incidents. This indicates that while overall crime volume may be lower overnight, the risk to parked cars is at its absolute highest. Burglary also remains a factor at night (17%), suggesting that properties are targeted both when residents are away and when they are asleep.

Brierley Hill is centrally located in the West Midlands and serves as a significant commercial destination. When compared to nearby areas, its crime rate of 118.7 per 1,000 is higher than Stourbridge (74.5), Kingswinford (55.6), Cradley Heath (102.9), and Dudley (Dudley) (113.0). These figures reflect the area's role as a major retail centre, which naturally attracts higher levels of activity and associated opportunistic crime like shoplifting. For those living in the region, Brierley Hill offers extensive amenities and employment opportunities but requires a more proactive approach to security than its more suburban neighbours like Kingswinford.

With a property crime rate of 51.7 per 1,000, residents in Brierley Hill face a high-risk urban environment where shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary are persistent threats. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they record footage of a crime while it is happening, often providing evidence only after the damage is done.

For Brierley Hill homeowners seeking real protection, proactive security is essential. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries, scOS can identify potential threats in real-time. It can distinguish between a shopper and a stranger loitering near your vehicle or front door, autonomously triggering deterrents like security lights or audio alerts. In a high-activity area like Brierley Hill, where over half of night-time crime is vehicle-related, scOS’s ability to detect and deter at the property line provides a powerful layer of prevention that traditional recording devices cannot match.