Cottingham Crime Rate

Cottingham is a well-regarded urban settlement in the East Riding of Yorkshire, maintaining a crime rate of 67.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 84/100, which compares favourably to the UK average of 79. However, the area has recently seen an upward trend in criminal activity, with a 7.0% year-over-year increase. While Cottingham remains a safe place to live, this rise in reports suggests a need for increased awareness among the local community. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and temporal patterns to help residents better understand their local safety environment.

In Cottingham, the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, making up 39.1% of the total (347 incidents). Public order offences (12.4%) and anti-social behaviour (10.8%) also represent significant portions of local reports. Of particular note is the high rate of shoplifting, which accounts for 10.4% of all crime (92 incidents). Property-related crime is a major factor in the area, with a combined rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents. This includes 48 burglaries, 38 vehicle crimes, and 59 cases of criminal damage and arson. For residents, the relatively high frequency of theft and burglary compared to the safest nearby areas means that proactive home and business security is a vital consideration for protecting assets and personal property.

Cottingham has experienced a 7.0% increase in crime over the past 12 months. Analysis of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that crime rates were lowest in February (3.2) and peaked in October (7.3). The summer months also saw consistently high activity, with July reaching a rate of 7.1. This upward trend, particularly the high rates seen in the latter half of 2025, indicates a shift in the local safety profile that residents should monitor closely. The sustained levels of activity through the autumn suggest that the increase is not merely a seasonal spike but a more consistent change in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Cottingham

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes in Cottingham. To enhance your personal safety, consider these practical tips:

• Plan Your Routes: Stick to well-lit, busy streets when walking at night. Avoid shortcuts through poorly lit areas like parks or unmonitored footpaths.
• Be Aware of Night-time Risks: Vehicle crime peaks at night in Cottingham (34% of nocturnal crimes). If possible, park in a well-lit driveway or use a garage.
• Secure Your Home in the Afternoon: 27% of burglaries occur in the afternoon. Ensure all doors and windows are locked, even if you are only popping out for a short time.
• Shop Safely: With shoplifting representing over 10% of local crime, be mindful of your belongings in retail areas, especially during the peak afternoon hours.
• Community Engagement: Stay connected with local safety groups or neighbourhood watch schemes to keep informed about any spikes in local activity.

In Cottingham, crime types vary significantly based on the time of day. Morning and afternoon hours are characterized by a high proportion of theft, accounting for 38-39% of reports as retail and commercial activity peaks. As evening approaches, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, become the most common, making up 46% of reports between 6pm and 12am. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a dramatic shift toward vehicle crime, which represents 34% of all nocturnal offences. Burglary remains a persistent threat throughout the day but peaks specifically in the night (28%) and afternoon (27%). These patterns suggest that property and vehicle owners should be particularly vigilant during the late-night and mid-afternoon periods.

When compared to nearby areas, Cottingham sits in a varied regional landscape. Its crime rate of 67.7 per 1,000 is higher than that of Skidby (39.3) and Willerby and Anlaby (60.6). It is, however, notably safer than Woodmansey, which has a higher rate of 89.9. The contrast with Dunswell, which recorded zero crimes, highlights the difference between small rural pockets and busier urban settlements like Cottingham. Within this regional context, Cottingham remains a safe urban choice, though it experiences more activity than its smaller, more rural neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000, Cottingham residents should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most CCTV systems are reactive, merely providing footage of a crime after it has occurred. In an area where burglary and vehicle crime together make up nearly 10% of all offences, proactive prevention is a much more effective strategy. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS identifies potential threats at the property boundary, triggering autonomous responses like lighting or audio alerts that destroy the element of surprise. For Cottingham homeowners, scOS offers professional-grade protection that learns your family's routines and ignores false alarms, ensuring that you are only alerted when a genuine threat is detected. This shift from recording to preventing is essential for those looking to secure their property against the recent 7% increase in local crime.