Horncastle Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Horncastle’s October 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents places it 26% below the UK average, a position that reflects both the area’s rural character and its low population density. The most prevalent crime types—violence and sexual offences (34.4% of total), anti-social behaviour (12.5%), and criminal damage and arson (12.5%)—highlight a mix of persistent and seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences, though down from September, remain a concern in the town’s core areas, where limited lighting and transient populations may contribute to incidents. Anti-social behaviour, which fell by 42.9% month-on-month, may have been affected by the transition into darker evenings and reduced social gatherings. The rise in criminal damage and arson, however, aligns with the seasonal context of October, when Halloween activities and shorter daylight hours could increase opportunities for such offences. The town’s low property crime rate—just 14 incidents—suggests effective community policing or a lack of high-value targets, though burglary remains above the UK average. This discrepancy may stem from the area’s historic properties, which could be more susceptible to targeted theft. Overall, while Horncastle remains a relatively safe place compared to national trends, the sharp increases in specific crimes underscore the need for targeted awareness and prevention strategies.

October 2025 saw sharp increases in bicycle theft, criminal damage and arson, and vehicle crime, each rising by 100% compared to the previous month. These jumps, though starting from zero incidents in September, signal emerging risks that residents should monitor closely. Burglary in Horncastle remains 67% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the area’s historic buildings and limited surveillance in certain neighbourhoods. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 42.1%, a decline consistent with the typically lower levels of violent crime in this rural setting. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 42.9%, potentially linked to the transition into darker evenings and reduced foot traffic in local high streets. However, the surge in bicycle theft—now 150% above the UK average—raises questions about unsecured bike storage in the town’s limited public spaces. Residents are advised to secure bicycles with robust locks, particularly near the market square and community centres.

Horncastle’s crime rate in October 2025 fell by 15.9% compared to the previous month, declining from 6.8 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with a broader trend of seasonal moderation, though specific crime types show divergent patterns. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but underscores the need for vigilance in high-risk areas. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 175 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised against the area’s population of 5,590, illustrates the relatively safe environment in Horncastle. However, the population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall crime rate is low, certain categories—such as burglary and vehicle crime—remain elevated compared to national benchmarks. These anomalies suggest localized factors, such as specific land use or community dynamics, may contribute to these disparities, though further data would be needed to confirm such connections.