Runcorn Crime Rate

Runcorn is an urban settlement in the Halton district with a crime profile that sits slightly above the national average. For the period of January 2025 to December 2025, the local crime rate was 96.8 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 91.6. Despite this, the town maintains a respectable safety score of 75/100, indicating it remains a generally secure place for its 58,183 residents. The crime trend in Runcorn is currently stable, showing a modest 4.6% decrease year-over-year. A significant positive for the area is its property crime rate of 20.6 per 1,000, which is considerably lower than the UK average of 32.2. This suggests that while overall crime volume is slightly higher, Runcorn is statistically safer for property and home ownership than many other parts of the country.

In Runcorn, the crime statistics are heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which account for 2,810 incidents, representing 49.9% of all reported crime. This is significantly higher than any other category. Public order offences (10.8%) and anti-social behaviour (9.1%) are the next most common types, together accounting for nearly a fifth of all police-recorded activity in the town.

Property crime in Runcorn occurs at a rate of 20.6 per 1,000 residents, which is notably better than the UK average of 32.2. This broader category includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Specifically, vehicle crime represents 2.9% of total crime (165 incidents), while burglary accounts for 2.8% (155 incidents). Other theft and shoplifting contribute 4.2% and 3.3% respectively. For residents, this data indicates that while the headline crime rate is slightly above the national average, the actual risk of property-related offences is lower than in many other UK towns. However, the presence of nearly 400 cases of criminal damage and arson (6.9%) suggests a persistent level of opportunistic vandalism that homeowners should be mindful of when considering their property security needs.

The crime trend in Runcorn is currently stable, with a modest 4.6% reduction in total offences year-over-year. This suggests that crime levels are being consistently managed, though not falling as rapidly as in some neighbouring towns. The monthly data for 2025 shows a series of fluctuations throughout the year.

The year began with rates between 7.6 and 8.1 per 1,000 in the first two months, followed by a noticeable peak in the spring. March, April, and May saw the highest rates of the year, peaking at 9.2 per 1,000. This period often sees an increase in reported incidents as the weather improves and public activity rises. Following this peak, the crime rate gradually declined, reaching a low of 6.2 per 1,000 in December. For Runcorn residents, this downward movement towards the end of the year is an encouraging sign that the town is entering 2026 with a lower crime footprint, maintaining its stable and generally secure safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Runcorn

The most prevalent crime in Runcorn is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 49.9% of all reported incidents. While this is a common urban statistic, it highlights the importance of personal safety and situational awareness for residents.

To stay safe, it is recommended to remain alert when walking in town centres or near transport links, particularly after dark. Stick to well-lit, busy routes and avoid isolated areas like underpasses or poorly lit parks. If you are out in the evening, try to travel with others and ensure someone knows your expected arrival time. Keeping your phone and other valuables out of sight can also reduce the risk of being targeted by opportunistic individuals.

In an urban settlement like Runcorn, localized safety can be improved by engaging with local community policing teams and reporting any anti-social behaviour promptly. This helps the police to better understand local hotspots and allocate patrols effectively. For your home, simple measures like ensuring all windows and doors are locked and that your property is well-lit at night can make a significant difference. Trust your instincts—if a situation feels uncomfortable, move to a well-lit, populated area and call for help if necessary.

Crime in Runcorn follows a distinct daily rhythm that residents should be aware of. The morning and afternoon periods (6am to 6pm) are the most active for theft-related crimes, which account for up to 40% of incidents during the day. This is typical for an urban area with busy retail and commercial centres. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm to 12am), 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, become more prominent, making up 58% of reports.

For property owners, the night hours (12am to 6am) represent the period of highest risk for specific offences. Vehicle crime peaks during this time, accounting for 34% of night-time incidents, while burglary accounts for 19%. This suggests that criminals are most active when residents are asleep and vehicles are parked overnight. By understanding these patterns, residents can take more effective precautions, such as ensuring all home security systems are active and vehicles are parked as securely as possible before the night-time peak begins.

In the local context, Runcorn's crime rate of 96.8 per 1,000 makes it one of the more active urban centres in the region. It has a higher crime rate than its neighbour Widnes (86.1) and is significantly busier than the nearby rural or suburban areas of Moore (58.5), Frodsham (54.8), and Daresbury (0.0). However, it remains notably safer than Hale Bank, which recorded a rate of 120.2 per 1,000. For those looking at the region, Runcorn offers an urban environment with a stable crime trend, and while its headline figure is higher than some neighbours, its low property crime rate remains a key advantage for residents and homeowners in the Cheshire and Halton area.

Runcorn's property crime rate of 20.6 per 1,000, though lower than the national average, still accounts for hundreds of incidents annually, including 155 burglaries and 165 vehicle crimes. For many residents, traditional security systems like basic CCTV or DIY alarms are the standard choice, but these are fundamentally reactive—they only alert you or provide evidence after a crime has been committed.

To truly safeguard your Runcorn home, a proactive approach is essential. scOS is an AI-powered security operating system that prevents crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time, identifying potential threats like loiterers or suspicious vehicles before they attempt a break-in. This is particularly effective during the night-time hours when vehicle crime and burglary peak in Runcorn. scOS can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating security lights or audio warnings, to deter intruders before they reach your door. In an area where professional security signals a hard target, scOS ensures that your home is protected by real-time prevention, not just post-incident recording.