Ilkeston Crime Rate

Ilkeston is a busy urban settlement within Erewash, featuring a safety score of 72/100, which is below the UK average of 78. The town's overall crime rate is 116.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is significantly higher than the national average of 93.1. However, most encouragingly, crime in Ilkeston has decreased by 17.6% over the past year, highlighting a strong positive trend for the community. While property crime is a factor, particularly in the town's busy retail and commercial sectors, the overall volume of crime is on a downward trajectory. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, analysis of temporal patterns, and practical safety advice to help the residents of Ilkeston stay informed and secure in their homes and businesses.

In Ilkeston, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 41.5% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.4% and public order offences at 9.5%. These figures reflect the challenges typical of a larger town with a busy commercial centre and active evening economy.

Property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime, has a rate of 32.6 per 1,000 people, which is very close to the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, shoplifting is the primary driver at 8.4%, followed by 'other theft' at 4.6% and vehicle crime at 3.0%. Burglary stands at 2.9% of total crime. For residents and business owners, this suggests that while the risk of home invasion is typical for an urban area, opportunistic theft and retail crime are significant concerns. Securing businesses and ensuring that vehicles and homes are well-protected are essential priorities for the Ilkeston community. Overall, the town maintains a standard urban property crime profile.

The crime trend in Ilkeston is currently decreasing, with a significant 17.6% reduction in total offences compared to the previous year. This is a very positive indicator for the community. Monthly trendData shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated throughout the year, with a peak of 11.5 in July 2025. Other high-activity months included June (11.0), October (10.6), and May (10.3). Conversely, the winter months saw lower rates, with February recording 8.2 and November 8.6 per 1,000. These fluctuations suggest that crime in Ilkeston may be influenced by seasonal factors, with higher activity during the spring and summer months. The overall downward trend indicates that Ilkeston is becoming safer, though the higher rates in certain months highlight the need for continued community awareness and consistent property security.

How To Keep Safe in Ilkeston

The most common crime in Ilkeston is violence and sexual offences (41.5%), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.4%) and public order offences (9.5%). While the area is generally safe, these tips can help you stay secure.

1. Be Aware in the Town Centre: Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are most common in high-footfall areas. When shopping, keep your personal belongings secure and stay mindful of your surroundings.
2. Safe Evenings Out: If you are out in the evening, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid poorly lit shortcuts or isolated areas. Ilkeston's town centre is active at night, so staying in groups can enhance your personal safety.
3. Business Loss Prevention: For local business owners, ensure your security systems are up to date and staff are trained in identifying suspicious behaviour to mitigate the high rate of shoplifting.
4. Vehicle Security: Although vehicle crime is relatively low, always lock your car and ensure no valuables are left on display, especially in public car parks and near busy roads.
5. Report Concerns: Always report suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police. Timely reporting helps them identify crime patterns and allocate patrols effectively across the town.

Crime timing in Ilkeston follows a clear urban pattern. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the primary concern, peaking at 43% in the afternoon. This is closely linked to retail activity in the town centre. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour—take over, accounting for 57% of reports. At night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the most significant factor, representing 32% of reported incidents. Burglary also remains a consistent risk throughout the day, with peaks in the afternoon and night. This indicates that while daytime risks are concentrated in shops and public spaces, the night-time period poses the greatest risk to residential property and parked cars. Residents should ensure their home and vehicle security is robust during the overnight hours.

Ilkeston serves as a major urban hub in Erewash, and its crime rate of 116.3 per 1,000 reflects its status as a regional commercial centre. It has a higher crime rate than its immediate neighbours like Trowell (77.0), Awsworth (44.2), and West Hallam (25.8). While the smaller villages record much lower crime figures, Ilkeston's rate is typical for a town of its size and commercial importance. These comparisons highlight Ilkeston as a central hub with a more active crime profile than its quieter residential neighbours. For those seeking urban amenities, Ilkeston remains a primary choice in the region.

With a property crime rate of 32.6 per 1,000 people, Ilkeston residents and business owners should consider a more advanced security strategy. Traditional CCTV systems and doorbell cameras are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. In a busy town like Ilkeston, where shoplifting and opportunistic theft are common, preventing an intruder from reaching your property is crucial.

scOS provides an AI-powered home security operating system that actively prevents crime. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats before they escalate. If an intruder is detected, the system can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating lights or engaging speakers, to deter them immediately. For Ilkeston homeowners, scOS offers professional-grade protection that destroys the element of surprise for opportunists. Proactive detection is the most effective way to protect your home and business in an area where property crime is a consistent factor.