Horncastle Crime Rate

Horncastle is a historic market town with an overall crime rate of 83.2 per 1,000 people, positioning it as a safer alternative to the UK average of 91.7. This is further supported by a safety score of 80/100, which exceeds the national average of 79. Despite these positive figures, the area has experienced a 7.4% increase in crime year-over-year, suggesting a shift in the local security landscape. As a primary hub within East Lindsey, Horncastle's statistics are influenced by its role as a commercial and social centre for surrounding villages. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, time-based patterns, and local comparisons to help residents navigate the town safely.

In Horncastle, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, accounting for 40.6% of the total with 189 incidents. Anti-social behaviour follows at 24.3%, with criminal damage and arson making up 9.5%. Property-related crime in the area occurs at a rate of 19.3 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary (3.2%), shoplifting (4.5%), and vehicle crime (1.9%). While the overall property crime rate is lower than the UK average, the combined impact of burglary and criminal damage remains a relevant concern for local homeowners. The prominence of anti-social behaviour also suggests that community-level disturbances are a regular focus for local law enforcement, impacting the perceived safety of residential streets.

Horncastle's crime rate is currently on an upward trajectory, with a 7.4% increase year-over-year. A monthly analysis from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that the year started with a low of 4.8 crimes per 1,000 in December. However, activity rose steadily through the spring, reaching a peak of 8.8 in May 2025. The summer months remained relatively active, with rates staying above 8.0 through June and July. Although there was a slight dip in the early autumn, the year concluded with another spike to 8.1 in November. This trend suggests that while the town is still safe, there is a growing volume of reported incidents that residents should be aware of when considering their personal and property security.

How To Keep Safe in Horncastle

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Horncastle, making up over 40% of all reports. While the town is generally very safe, taking basic personal safety precautions is always advisable, especially in the town centre.

1. When walking home at night, stick to the main, well-lit roads like the A158 or A153, and avoid poorly lit cut-throughs or alleyways.
2. Be mindful of your surroundings during the afternoon and evening when anti-social behaviour is more likely to be reported in public spaces.
3. If you are a business owner, ensure your shopfront is well-monitored, as theft and shoplifting peak during the busy afternoon trading hours.
4. Secure all outbuildings and garages, as these can be targets for opportunistic theft during the night when burglary and vehicle crime rates are highest.
5. Participate in local community alert schemes to stay informed about any recent spikes in criminal activity in the Horncastle area.

In Horncastle, crime patterns vary significantly throughout the day. The morning and afternoon hours are characterised by higher levels of theft and shoplifting, with the afternoon seeing 34% of all theft-related incidents. As the town's commercial activity winds down, the evening period shifts toward "Other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which account for 61% of activity in this window. The night-time hours (12am-6am) present a different risk profile, with burglary (24%) and vehicle crime (24%) reaching their highest relative frequencies. This suggests that while personal safety is a daytime focus, property protection becomes the priority overnight. Residential areas are most vulnerable during these quiet hours when natural surveillance is at its lowest.

Horncastle serves as a significant urban settlement in its part of Lincolnshire, and this is reflected in its crime rate of 83.2 per 1,000. In comparison, the nearby smaller villages of Belchford, Kirkby on Bain, Tetford, and Hagworthingham all reported crime rates of 0.0 in the same period. This contrast is typical for the region, where criminal activity is concentrated in the larger service towns while the surrounding rural parishes remain exceptionally quiet. For those looking at the region, Horncastle offers the most amenities but also carries the highest statistical crime volume, whereas the neighbouring villages offer a near-zero crime environment at the cost of local services.

With a property crime rate of 19.3 per 1,000 people, Horncastle residents should consider the benefits of proactive home security. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or DIY alarms, are often reactive—they tell you a crime has happened after the fact. In a town like Horncastle, where burglary and vehicle crime often occur during the quietest night-time hours, the ability to prevent an incident is invaluable. scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to monitor your property boundaries 24/7. It doesn't just record; it identifies threats like someone lingering near a vehicle or approaching a side gate. By triggering autonomous responses such as turning on floodlights or playing an audible warning, scOS removes the opportunity for a crime to occur. This AI-powered approach is particularly effective against the opportunistic theft and criminal damage seen in the area. For homeowners, investing in a system that stops a crime before it starts is the most effective way to maintain the high safety score Horncastle is known for.