Horncastle Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Horncastle

Horncastle experiences an overall crime rate of 84.6 per 1,000 residents per year, which is lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This translates to a safety score of 81 out of 100, indicating that the area is considered safer than the national average of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in Horncastle has been increasing, showing a rise of 9.5%. This overview provides a foundational understanding of the local crime landscape, setting the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types and trends within the built-up area.

Horncastle Crime Type Analysis

An examination of Horncastle's crime statistics reveals that violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 179 crimes, or 37.8% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 32.0 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most prevalent issue, with 122 recorded crimes, representing 25.8% of the total and a rate of 21.8 per 1,000. Criminal damage and arson ranks as the third most common crime, with 45 incidents, making up 9.5% of the total, at 8.1 per 1,000 people.

When focusing on property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Horncastle records a rate of 20.8 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crime figures include 18 burglaries (3.2 per 1,000), 45 incidents of criminal damage and arson (8.1 per 1,000), 6 vehicle crimes (1.1 per 1,000), and 21 other thefts (3.8 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that property crime is less common than the national average. However, remaining vigilant, particularly concerning criminal damage, is always advisable.

Crime Trends in Horncastle

Horncastle has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a rise of 9.5% year-over-year. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents provides further insight into this pattern. The period began with rates of 7.5 in October 2024 and 7.7 in November 2024, followed by a dip to 4.8 in December 2024. February 2025 saw the lowest rate at 5.4, before a general upward trend through March (6.6), April (7.7), and May (8.8). The summer months show some fluctuations, with a peak of 8.8 in May 2025, before settling at 6.8 in September 2025. This increasing trend suggests a need for residents to be aware and potentially review their security measures.

Crime Time Patterns in Horncastle

Analysis of crime patterns in Horncastle reveals distinct trends across different times of the day. The morning hours, between 6am and 12pm, show a notable prevalence of theft and 'other' crime, accounting for 37% and 42% of incidents respectively. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains a significant crime type at 38%, with burglary also becoming more prominent. The evening period, from 6pm to 12am, sees a shift with 'other' crime types becoming most frequent, alongside continued burglary. During the night (12am-6am), 'other' crime and burglary become particularly significant, often occurring when properties are unattended. Understanding these hourly and daily rhythms of criminal activity can help residents and visitors adjust their routines and security measures accordingly, enhancing personal safety and property protection.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide a regional context, Horncastle's crime statistics can be compared with those of its neighbouring built-up areas. Belchford, Kirkby on Bain, Tetford, and Hagworthingham each present a unique crime profile. Horncastle's overall crime rate of 84.6 per 1,000 is below the UK average and offers a benchmark against these areas. For instance, comparing property crime rates (20.8 per 1,000 in Horncastle) with its neighbours can highlight areas where specific types of offences are more or less prevalent. Understanding these local variations helps residents and prospective movers assess the broader safety landscape of the region, providing valuable context beyond Horncastle's individual figures.

Protecting Your Property in Horncastle

Given Horncastle's property crime rate of 20.8 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average, proactive home security is a sensible consideration for all homeowners and residents. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. If you are seeking to genuinely deter crime before it impacts your property, consider a professional-grade solution.

scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary. Unlike systems that merely record an incident, scOS is designed to prevent crime. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, while features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS only alerts on real threats, avoiding false alarms. When a threat is detected, autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers are deployed to destroy the element of surprise, making burglars move on within moments. For those in Horncastle, investing in such a system means a shift from documenting crime to actively stopping it, providing a higher level of peace of mind and robust property protection.