Whaley Bridge Crime Rate

Whaley Bridge maintains a reassuring safety profile with an overall crime rate of 59.4 per 1,000 residents, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.1. This contributes to a high safety score of 87/100, positioning it as one of the more secure settlements in the High Peak area. Recent data indicates a positive shift in the local environment, with crime rates decreasing by 7.9% year-over-year. While the area remains safe, understanding the specific breakdown of local offences helps residents maintain this security. The following data explores these trends and provides context for the safety of the Whaley Bridge community.

Crime in Whaley Bridge

Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant portion of local crime, accounting for 33.2% of all incidents with 66 recorded cases. Shoplifting follows at 13.1%, while anti-social behaviour makes up 11.1% of the total. When looking at property-related crime—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—the rate stands at 25.1 per 1,000 residents. This combined category remains a persistent concern for homeowners, as vehicle crime alone accounts for 6% of local offences. For residents, this distribution suggests that while violent crime is the most frequent category, the collective impact of property-related offences requires consistent vigilance and robust home security measures.

Crime Trends in Whaley Bridge

The crime rate in Whaley Bridge is currently on a downward trajectory, with a year-over-year decrease of 7.9%. This positive trend indicates that the area is becoming safer over time. However, monthly data reveals some volatility. The highest crime rate in the recent 12-month period was recorded in October 2025, reaching 8.1 per 1,000 residents, followed by November 2024 at 6.9. Conversely, July 2025 saw the lowest rate at just 2.4 per 1,000. These fluctuations are common in smaller settlements where a handful of incidents can significantly impact monthly percentages. Despite these short-term spikes, the overall reduction suggests effective local policing or community safety initiatives are having a tangible impact on reducing crime in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Whaley Bridge

The most prevalent crime type in Whaley Bridge is violence and sexual offences. While these figures often include a wide range of incidents, personal safety remains paramount. When walking alone, especially after dark, stick to well-lit, familiar routes and remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones, which can reduce your situational awareness. If you frequently travel late at night, consider sharing your live location with a trusted friend or family member. Additionally, since vehicle crime peaks at night, ensure your car is parked in a secure, well-lit area and that no valuables are left on display. For local business owners, the significant shoplifting rate suggests that maintaining high-visibility staff and modern surveillance can act as an effective deterrent. Keeping your property well-maintained and clearly demarcated can also discourage anti-social behaviour in residential areas.

In Whaley Bridge, crime intensity varies significantly throughout the day. Morning and afternoon periods are characterised by a high frequency of theft-related offences, including shoplifting and 'other theft', likely coinciding with the operating hours of local businesses. As the day progresses into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. Night-time hours (12am to 6am) see a marked increase in vehicle crime, which accounts for 40% of all incidents during this window. Burglary remains a consistent threat across all time periods but shows slight peaks during the afternoon and night. This pattern suggests that while commercial areas are more vulnerable during the day, residential property and vehicles are at higher risk under the cover of darkness.

When comparing Whaley Bridge to its nearest neighbours, it occupies a middle ground in terms of safety. With a crime rate of 59.4, it is slightly safer than New Mills, which recorded 61.9 crimes per 1,000 people. However, it experiences more frequent crime than other nearby villages; Furness Vale (41.6), Chinley (30.4), and Disley (29.0) all report significantly lower crime rates. For those looking at the High Peak region, Whaley Bridge offers a balanced profile, being more urbanised than its quieter neighbours but maintaining a crime rate well below the national average.

With a property crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents in Whaley Bridge, homeowners should prioritise preventative security measures. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, often only provide evidence after a crime has occurred. In contrast, scOS offers a proactive approach by using AI to monitor camera feeds in real-time. This system is designed to detect threats at the property boundary, using autonomous responses like lights and speakers to deter intruders before they can attempt a break-in. For a community where burglary and vehicle crime are persistent—particularly at night—the ability of scOS to verify vehicles and recognise familiar routines provides a sophisticated layer of protection that reactive systems simply cannot match. Investing in proactive technology ensures that your home is not just watched, but actively defended.