Widnes Crime Rate

Widnes currently features an overall crime rate of 86.9 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 91.7. This contributes to a positive safety score of 78/100 for the town. Most significantly, Widnes has seen a substantial 18.4% decrease in crime year-over-year, indicating a rapidly improving safety environment for its 60,372 residents. While violence and public order offences remain the most reported types, property crime rates are well below national levels. This report provides a detailed breakdown of crime statistics in Widnes from December 2024 to November 2025, offering insights into when and where crimes occur and how the town compares to its neighbours.

Widnes exhibits a crime profile where violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 45.4% of all reported incidents. This is followed by public order offences at 11.0% and anti-social behaviour at 10.7%. These statistics suggest that personal safety and social conduct are the primary concerns within the urban settlement.

Property crime in Widnes is recorded at a rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes criminal damage and arson (358 crimes), other theft (288 crimes), and shoplifting (253 crimes). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, representing 3.2% and 2.5% of total crime respectively. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a lower-than-average risk of theft, but the presence of over 170 burglaries and 130 vehicle crimes annually still necessitates robust security measures. Opportunistic crimes can be significantly reduced through the use of proactive deterrents and boundary-based security systems.

The crime trend in Widnes is exceptionally positive, with total offences falling by 18.4% over the last year. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a remarkably consistent crime rate, mostly hovering around 7.5 per 1,000 people. The year began with a rate of 7.6 in December, followed by a slight dip to 6.0 in February.

For much of the year—from April to October—the rate remained extremely stable at approximately 7.5 or 7.6. The year concluded with a significant drop to 6.6 in November. This stability, followed by a late-year decrease, suggests that crime prevention strategies in Widnes are proving effective and sustainable. For residents, this long-term downward trend provides strong evidence of an improving safety profile for the town.

How To Keep Safe in Widnes

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Widnes. While these figures are part of a decreasing trend, it is important for residents to stay vigilant, particularly in the town centre and around transport hubs.

To enhance your safety in Widnes, consider these localized tips:

• When using public transport or walking in the town centre at night, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
• Vehicle crime peaks during the night in Widnes, accounting for 27% of nocturnal offences. Always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display.
• Burglary risk is highest during the night and afternoon. Ensure your home is secured with high-quality locks and consider a proactive security system that monitors your property perimeter.
• Theft and shoplifting are most common during the morning and afternoon. When shopping, keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your purse or wallet in crowded spaces.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities to help them maintain the town's positive downward trend in crime.

Crime in Widnes follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 44% and 45% of crimes respectively, likely linked to retail and commercial activity. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), "Other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rise significantly to 56%. The night-time hours (12am-6am) see a shift towards property-related threats, with vehicle crime peaking at 27% and burglary at 23%. This suggests that while daytime risks are largely commercial, residential and vehicle security become paramount during the late-night hours when streets are quieter and properties are more vulnerable.

Widnes sits in a varied regional safety landscape. Its crime rate of 86.9 per 1,000 people makes it safer than nearby Runcorn (98.2) and significantly safer than Hale Bank (116.4). However, it is less secure than the smaller, more semi-rural areas of Cronton (36.4) and Hale (31.2). This comparison shows that Widnes is one of the safer large urban settlements in the Halton area, offering a balance between urban convenience and a relatively secure residential environment, especially given its strong downward trend in criminal activity.

With a property crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000, Widnes residents enjoy a safer environment than many UK towns, but the risk of burglary and vehicle crime remains a reality. Traditional home security often relies on reactive technology—cameras that record a crime as it happens. While this provides evidence, it does not prevent the initial violation of your home.

For Widnes homeowners seeking a higher level of protection, scOS offers a proactive AI-driven solution. Unlike standard systems, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between your family members and potential intruders, triggering autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers before a break-in occurs. This "boundary-first" approach is particularly effective against opportunistic vehicle crime and burglary, which often occur late at night in Widnes. By removing the element of surprise, scOS ensures that your home is not just watched, but actively protected.