Horncastle Crime Rate

Horncastle is a charming market town with an overall crime rate of 89.1 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average of 91.6. The town holds a solid safety score of 79/100, matching the national average. Significantly, the property crime rate in Horncastle is 21.8 per 1,000, much lower than the UK average of 32.2, suggesting that homes and belongings are statistically safer here. However, the current crime trend is increasing, with a 15.0% rise in total offences over the past year. This analysis explores the specific types of crime in Horncastle and examines temporal patterns to help residents and business owners make informed decisions about their security and personal safety in the town.

Horncastle's crime profile is primarily led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.6% of all recorded incidents (36.1 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, representing 23.5% of total crime, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.4%.

Property crime overall—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 21.8 per 1,000 people. Within this category, shoplifting is a notable concern, representing 7.0% of all crime. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, making up 3.2% and 1.8% of reported incidents respectively. For residents, these figures suggest that while the risk of traditional break-ins is low, there is a persistent risk of opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour. Ensuring that retail premises are secure and that personal property is not left vulnerable in public spaces are important considerations for maintaining safety in the town.

The crime trend in Horncastle is currently increasing, with a 15.0% rise in total offences compared to the previous year. A detailed look at the 2025 monthly data shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with a notable peak of 10.7 per 1,000 in December and another high of 8.8 in May.

The end-of-year peak in December is particularly significant and may be related to increased holiday season activity. Following a relatively lower rate in February (5.4 per 1,000), the crime rate saw a general upward trajectory through the spring and summer. For residents, this increasing trend suggests a need for heightened awareness and improved security measures. The significant year-over-year rise indicates that local safety efforts are facing growing challenges in maintaining the town's historically low crime levels.

How To Keep Safe in Horncastle

The most common crime in Horncastle is violence and sexual offences, with anti-social behaviour also being a significant local concern. To enhance your personal safety and protect your property in the town, consider the following advice:

1. When out in public during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Plan your route home and try to travel with others where possible.
2. Anti-social behaviour accounts for over 23% of local crime; reporting any such incidents to the local police helps them to identify hotspots and address issues before they escalate.
3. Given that burglary is most likely to occur at night (26% of night-time offences), ensure your home is fully secured before retiring and consider using motion-sensor external lighting.
4. For business owners, particularly in retail, be mindful of the shoplifting rate and ensure your premises are well-monitored with clear security signage.
5. Secure your property boundaries to discourage opportunistic criminal damage and 'other theft', which are notable concerns in the area. A proactive security system can be particularly effective here.
6. For vehicle owners, ensure your car is parked in a well-lit area or garage, especially overnight, to mitigate the risk of vehicle crime.

Crime in Horncastle follows distinct temporal patterns that align with the town's daily activities. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) and evening (6pm-12am) are the most active periods for recorded incidents. During the afternoon, theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are more common as the town's retail centre is at its busiest. As the day transitions into the evening, the focus shifts towards anti-social behaviour and 'other' crime types, which often correlate with socialising and nightlife.

The night-time period (12am-6am) sees a higher concentration of specific offences, most notably burglary, which accounts for 26% of night-time incidents. This suggests that properties are more vulnerable during the late-night hours. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are generally quieter but still see a significant proportion of theft (30%) and 'other' crimes as businesses open and the town begins its day. Understanding these cycles allows residents to be more vigilant during high-risk periods, particularly regarding home security overnight and personal safety during the busier afternoon and evening hours.

Horncastle serves as a central hub for the surrounding rural area. When compared to nearby villages, Horncastle's crime rate of 89.1 per 1,000 is higher than its smaller neighbours. For instance, Belchford, Kirkby on Bain, Tetford, and Hagworthingham all recorded no crimes (0.0 per 1,000) during the same period. This contrast is typical for market towns, as the concentration of retail, services, and social activity naturally leads to higher reported figures than in purely residential or agricultural villages. For those looking at the region, Horncastle offers the amenities of a town with a safety profile that remains favourable compared to larger urban centres across the country.

In Horncastle, with a property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000, residents should consider the benefits of proactive security over traditional reactive systems. Most standard security setups, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, only record footage of a crime as it happens. This often leaves homeowners with nothing more than video of a burglary after the fact, providing little help in preventing the incident itself.

scOS represents a different approach, offering an AI-powered home security operating system that prioritises prevention. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect potential intruders before they even attempt a break-in. The system's ability to verify vehicles and recognise familiar routines means it only alerts you to genuine threats. When a threat is identified, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio responses, disrupting a criminal's decision-making process in those vital first 60 seconds. For Horncastle homeowners, this professional-grade technology offers a way to actively stop property crime and anti-social behaviour at the source, rather than simply documenting it.