Skegness Crime Rate

Skegness is a bustling coastal resort with a unique crime profile, recording an overall crime rate of 183.7 per 1,000 residents. While this figure is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.6, the town maintains a safety score of 60/100, which is higher than many other high-activity urban areas. Encouragingly, the crime trend is decreasing, with a notable 7.3% reduction in incidents year-over-year. As a major tourism destination for 22,885 permanent residents and millions of visitors, the high volume of crime is often concentrated in commercial and entertainment zones. Understanding these patterns is essential for both residents and business owners to stay safe. This analysis covers the data from January 2025 to December 2025.

Crime in Skegness

Skegness experiences a high volume of crime, primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.6% of all incidents (61.8 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is also a major factor, representing 19.2% of the total. Notably, shoplifting is the third most common crime at 16.0%, reflecting the town's busy retail and tourism sectors.

Property crime is a significant challenge in Skegness, with a total rate of 66.2 per 1,000 people. This includes shoplifting (29.4 per 1,000), 'other theft' (11.1 per 1,000), and criminal damage (13.8 per 1,000). While burglary only makes up 2.6% of total crime, the high rate of theft-related offences suggests that both businesses and homeowners face a persistent risk of opportunism. For residents, this means that while violent crime is the most recorded, the high frequency of property-related incidents requires constant attention to physical security and personal belongings, especially in high-footfall areas.

Crime Trends in Skegness

The crime trend in Skegness is showing a positive trajectory, with a 7.3% decrease in total incidents year-over-year. This downward trend is a significant indicator of improving safety in the town. However, monthly data from 2025 reveals a strong seasonal influence. The year began with relatively stable rates around 14.9 in January, which dipped to 13.3 in February.

As the tourist season peaked, so did the crime rate, reaching its highest point in July at 20.4 per 1,000 residents. This was followed by 19.0 in August. Once the summer crowds departed, the rate fell back to 13.9 by October and remained steady through the end of the year. For residents, this seasonal pattern is predictable, with the vast majority of the annual crime volume occurring during the four months of the peak summer season. The overall annual decrease suggests that outside of these peak months, Skegness is becoming a quieter and safer place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Skegness

The most prevalent crime in Skegness is violence and sexual offences, which are often concentrated in the town's busy nightlife and tourist areas. To stay safe, it is recommended to remain in well-lit, populated areas, especially after dark. If you are visiting the town's entertainment venues, always plan your route home and travel with others where possible.

Given the high rate of shoplifting and 'other theft', personal belongings should be kept secure in public places. Avoid leaving bags unattended and be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas like the seafront or high street. For homeowners, the 13.8 rate of criminal damage suggests that maintaining a well-lit exterior and clear boundaries can discourage vandalism. Residents are also encouraged to report anti-social behaviour promptly to help the town maintain its positive downward trend in crime. By staying alert and taking basic precautions, you can enjoy all that Skegness has to offer with greater peace of mind.

Crime Timing in Skegness

Crime in Skegness follows a clear pattern linked to its retail and entertainment cycles. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft-related offences are at their peak, accounting for 50% of all incidents as shops open and the town gets busy. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), where theft remains the dominant crime type at 50%, while burglary risk also increases to 15%.

As the sun sets, the nature of crime shifts significantly. In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' offences, including violence and anti-social behaviour, surge to 59% of all activity. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a high concentration of these 'other' crimes (49%), but it is also the time when burglary risk is highest, making up 21% of night-time incidents. Vehicle crime also peaks at night (16%), suggesting that while daytime crime is largely commercial, night-time crime focuses on residential property and personal safety in entertainment zones.

In the context of the Lincolnshire coast, Skegness sits between extremes. Its crime rate of 183.7 is significantly lower than that of its neighbour, Ingoldmells, which records a staggering 406.7 crimes per 1,000 people. Conversely, more residential nearby areas like Burgh le Marsh (41.9) and Wainfleet All Saints (64.3) are much quieter. Wainfleet St Mary reports no crime at all in this period. This comparison highlights that while Skegness is a high-activity hub, it is not the most volatile area in the immediate region. For those looking for a balance between coastal amenities and safety, Skegness offers a middle ground with a clearly improving safety trend.

Protecting Your Property in Skegness

With a property crime rate of 66.2 per 1,000 residents, Skegness presents a high-risk environment for theft and criminal damage. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarms, are often reactive—they provide you with footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a busy town like Skegness, where opportunistic crime is frequent, proactive prevention is a much more effective strategy.

The scOS AI-powered security system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By using advanced AI to monitor your property boundary, scOS can detect a threat the moment someone steps onto your land. Its multi-camera intelligence never blinks, and its autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lights or audible warnings—can deter a burglar in the critical 60 seconds they take to decide on a target. For Skegness residents, where 21% of night-time crime is burglary, the ability of scOS to intervene in real-time provides a level of security that traditional recording systems simply cannot match. Protecting your property proactively ensures that you don't just have evidence of a crime, but that the crime never happens at all.