Appleby-in-Westmorland Crime Rate

Appleby-in-Westmorland is a historic market town in the Eden district with a strong safety profile. The town currently maintains an overall crime rate of 79.8 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This is reflected in a safety score of 79/100, positioning it above the national average of 78. Furthermore, Appleby is experiencing a significant positive trend in safety, with crime decreasing by 19.3% year-over-year. This substantial reduction suggests that Appleby is becoming a much safer place for its residents and businesses. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and localized safety advice to help you understand the safety landscape of this unique town.

In Appleby-in-Westmorland, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, representing 49.0% of all reported incidents. This is followed by public order offences at 10.7% and drug-related crimes at 10.3%. While personal and public order crimes lead the statistics, property crime is a relevant factor for the community. The overall property crime rate—including burglary, theft, shoplifting, and vehicle crime—is 17.0 per 1,000 people.

Specific property crimes such as vehicle crime (1.8 per 1,000) and burglary (0.9 per 1,000) are very low, but the presence of other theft and shoplifting contributes to the overall property crime rate. For residents, this suggests that while the risk of a serious home break-in is minimal, maintaining general property security is still important to prevent opportunist theft, particularly during periods of high visitor activity in the town.

The crime trend in Appleby-in-Westmorland is exceptionally positive, with a year-over-year decrease of 19.3%. This indicates a major improvement in the town's safety. Monthly data for 2025 shows a significant spike in June, where the crime rate reached 19.1 per 1,000 people. This is directly attributable to the Appleby Horse Fair, which brings a massive temporary population to the town. Outside of this specific event, crime rates were very low, ranging from 1.5 in September to 8.2 in May. The trend clearly shows that once the seasonal spike is accounted for, Appleby remains a very safe and secure location for the vast majority of the year.

How To Keep Safe in Appleby-in-Westmorland

The most common crime type in Appleby-in-Westmorland is violence and sexual offences, making up 49.0% of reports. As a town with significant seasonal visitor peaks, personal safety and awareness are key.

1. During busy periods, such as the Appleby Horse Fair, be extra vigilant with personal belongings in crowded areas to prevent opportunist theft or pickpocketing.
2. Stick to well-lit main streets when walking through the town centre in the evening, and avoid less populated areas or river paths after dark.
3. If you are a business owner, ensure your premises are well-secured and that you have visible security measures in place to deter shoplifting and public order offences.
4. Ensure your home's exterior is well-illuminated and that all entry points are secured, particularly if your property is near high-footfall visitor areas.
5. Engage with local community safety groups and stay informed about any temporary safety measures or alerts during the town's major events.

Crime in Appleby-in-Westmorland shows distinct temporal trends, largely driven by theft and public order offences. Theft is most prevalent during the morning (49%) and afternoon (54%), coinciding with the town's business and visitor hours. As the day transitions into the evening and night, the profile shifts significantly towards 'other' crimes, which include public order and anti-social behaviour, accounting for 63% and 54% respectively. Vehicle crime also peaks at night, making up 25% of the period's crime. Burglary remains relatively consistent but is highest at night (9%). These patterns suggest that daytime activity is primarily theft-related, while nighttime risks are more focused on social and vehicle-related offences.

Appleby-in-Westmorland's crime rate of 79.8 is lower than the district's main hub, Penrith (97.8), but higher than some of its rural neighbours. For example, Long Marton has a rate of 61.6. Most notably, several nearby villages such as Bolton, Kirkby Thore, and Hilton all recorded crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000 people. This comparison shows that while Appleby, as a local centre, faces more crime than its immediate rural hinterland, it remains a very safe location compared to both the district's larger towns and the UK as a whole. This balance of amenities and safety makes it a desirable location in the Eden district.

In Appleby-in-Westmorland, the property crime rate is 17.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average. However, the town's role as a host for major events and its status as a tourist destination mean that opportunist theft can still be a concern. Traditional reactive security systems, like standard CCTV, often only provide evidence after a crime has been committed, which does little to prevent the initial intrusion or loss.

For Appleby residents seeking superior protection, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the recommended approach. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's perimeter and detect threats before they reach your home. By identifying suspicious behaviour, it can trigger autonomous responses such as activating lights or audio warnings to deter potential intruders. This professional-grade deterrence is designed to stop a crime before it happens. In a town where crime is already on a strong downward trend, scOS provides the advanced technology needed to ensure your property stays safe and secure year-round.