Widnes Crime Rate

About Widnes

Widnes, an urban area within Halton with a population of 60,372, records an overall crime rate of 89.0 per 1,000 people annually. This is lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area boasts a safety score of 78 out of 100, which is on par with the national average, indicating a relatively safe environment for its residents. Significantly, Widnes has seen a substantial decrease in its crime rate, dropping by 17.5% year-over-year. This positive trend underscores ongoing efforts to enhance local safety and provides an optimistic outlook for the community, setting the stage for a deeper dive into specific crime patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Widnes

In Widnes, the most dominant crime type is Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 2,422 incidents, which is 45.1% of all reported crimes and a rate of 40.1 per 1,000 residents. Public order offences are the second most common, with 597 crimes (11.1% of the total) at a rate of 9.9 per 1,000. Following closely are Anti-social behaviour incidents, with 588 reports, making up 10.9% of total crime and a rate of 9.7 per 1,000.

Property-related crime in Widnes, encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, other theft, and shoplifting, stands at a rate of 21.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crime figures include 175 burglaries, 119 vehicle crimes, 301 other thefts, 237 shoplifting incidents, 373 criminal damage and arson cases, 55 robberies, 30 bicycle thefts, and 16 thefts from the person. These statistics suggest that while property crime exists, residents and homeowners in Widnes face a lower risk compared to many other areas across the UK.

Crime Trends in Widnes

Widnes has experienced a significant positive trend in its crime rate, with a substantial decrease of 17.5% year-over-year. This notable reduction reflects a considerable improvement in local safety over the past twelve months. Analysis of the monthly trend data shows fluctuations but an overall downward trajectory. For example, the crime rate per 1,000 residents was 8.8 in October 2024, falling to 7.3 in November and then 7.6 in December. While January 2025 saw a rate of 7.3, it then reached a low of 6.0 in February. The rates remained relatively stable between 7.2 and 7.6 from May to September 2025, with September recording 7.5. This consistent reduction, despite monthly variations, is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting that efforts to combat crime are yielding tangible results.

Time Patterns of Crime in Widnes

Crime in Widnes demonstrates clear patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 45% of crimes, alongside burglary at 12% and vehicle crime at 9%. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) continues to see a high proportion of theft at 47%, with burglary also significant at 19%. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), the mix shifts, with 'Other' crimes becoming dominant at 56%, while theft reduces to 19%, and burglary and vehicle crime each account for 17% and 9% respectively. Overnight (12am-6am), the focus changes significantly, with 'Other' crimes still high at 40%, but vehicle crime rises to 25% and burglary to 24%, indicating these hours are particularly vulnerable for such offences.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Widnes to its neighbouring areas, a clearer picture of its crime profile emerges. Widnes, with its overall crime rate of 89.0 per 1,000, generally fares better than its larger neighbour Runcorn, which has a higher rate of 99.7 per 1,000. Areas like Cronton and Hale Bank often present different crime dynamics, with Hale Bank showing a higher overall rate of 107.1 per 1,000, while Cronton (if comparable data were available) might typically exhibit lower figures due to its potentially more rural or suburban nature. Hale (Halton), a smaller settlement, shows a significantly lower crime rate of 26.2 per 1,000, indicating it is a considerably safer area. These comparisons provide valuable context for residents, illustrating how Widnes stands in relation to its immediate geographical surroundings within the Halton local authority.

Protecting Your Property in Widnes

With Widnes reporting a property crime rate of 21.6 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average, it remains prudent for homeowners to prioritise effective security. Relying solely on traditional CCTV or alarm systems often means you are simply recording a crime as it happens, rather than actively preventing it. For genuine peace of mind and proactive protection, consider advanced solutions.

scOS offers an AI-powered home security operating system designed to stop crime before it escalates. Unlike reactive systems, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, intervening in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, constantly monitoring all cameras simultaneously. With DVLA vehicle verification, suspicious vehicles can be identified instantly, while its pattern learning capabilities differentiate between routine activities and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. The system's autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, is designed to deter intruders by destroying their element of surprise.

While DIY security solutions have their place, professional-grade equipment like scOS signals serious protection. Burglars often decide within 60 seconds whether to proceed; a visible and intelligent deterrent like scOS can make that decision easy for them – to move on. Investing in such proactive security ensures that you are actively preventing crime, not just documenting its aftermath, providing a superior level of safety for your home and family.