Barlestone Crime Rate

Barlestone Crime Overview

Barlestone maintains a strong safety record with an overall crime rate of 54.8 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6. This performance earns the village a safety score of 88/100, indicating a secure environment for its 3,266 inhabitants. Safety in the village is further improving, with a substantial year-over-year crime decrease of 15.2%. Property crime in Barlestone is also notably low at 17.8 per 1,000 residents, far below the national average of 32.2. These figures suggest that Barlestone offers a highly secure residential setting, with a low incidence of both violent and property-related offences, and a positive trend towards even greater safety.

In Barlestone, violence and sexual offences are the primary crime type, accounting for 34.1% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 19.6%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 13.4%. The property crime rate in the village is 17.8 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly half the national average. This includes burglary (6.7% of total), vehicle crime (5.0%), and other theft (3.9%). With 12 burglaries and 9 vehicle crimes recorded annually, property-related offences are relatively rare. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage suggests that while major theft is rare, low-level disruption and property damage are more common concerns for the local community. Residents should remain mindful of the potential for opportunistic crime and low-level anti-social activity.

Barlestone has experienced a significant downward trend in its crime rate over the past year, with a substantial decrease of 15.2%. The monthly data for 2025 reveals some periodic fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 4.0 in January, peaking in August at 6.1 per 1,000 residents. Another notable rise to 7.7 was recorded in November, before the year ended with a return to the lower rate of 3.4 in December. This pattern suggests that while there are periodic increases in activity, the overall annual trend is one of significant improvement. Residents can take comfort in the fact that the village is becoming safer, with a clear downward trend in the total number of reported incidents.

How To Keep Safe in Barlestone

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Barlestone, followed by anti-social behaviour. To stay safe and protect your property, consider the following advice:

• Afternoon Home Security: Burglary is most frequent in the afternoon (30%). Always ensure your home is fully locked when you are out, and consider using smart lighting to simulate occupancy.
• Overnight Vehicle Care: Vehicle crime peaks at 33% during the night-time hours. Park in well-lit areas or a garage, and never leave any items visible inside your vehicle.
• Personal Awareness: When walking through the village, especially after dark, stay alert and stick to well-lit main roads. Avoid being distracted by your phone or headphones.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common crime in Barlestone. Reporting incidents to the local police helps prevent low-level issues from escalating and maintains the village's peaceful environment.

Crime in Barlestone follows distinct temporal patterns that vary by type. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is a prominent property concern, accounting for 16% and 18% of reports respectively. Burglary peaks in the afternoon at 30%, suggesting that residential properties are often targeted during the working day. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a rise in 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up a significant 60% of incidents. As night falls (12am - 6am), vehicle crime becomes a major threat, surging to account for 33% of all reported incidents. Burglary also remains a significant concern at night (23%). These patterns indicate that while daytime crime is largely focused on opportunistic burglary, the night-time hours present a heightened risk for vehicle theft. Residents should prioritize afternoon home security and ensuring maximum vehicle protection overnight.

Compared to its neighbours, Barlestone has a similar crime rate (54.8) to Newbold Verdon (55.4). It is, however, significantly more active than the tiny hamlets of Nailstone, Carlton, and Cadeby, all of which recorded 0.0 crimes. Barlestone's position as a larger village with local amenities naturally results in more reported activity than its smaller, purely rural neighbours. For those seeking a safe residential area that still offers local services, Barlestone provides a more secure environment than the regional average, especially given the recent significant decrease in reported incidents.

Barlestone's strong safety statistics and its low property crime rate of 17.8 per 1,000 are hallmarks of the village. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and the potential for burglary suggest that maintaining this security requires a proactive approach. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they only show you what happened after the fact. scOS provides a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at your property's perimeter before a crime occurs. In Barlestone, where burglary peaks in the afternoon and night, scOS can provide vital protection. Its ability to monitor all cameras simultaneously and trigger autonomous deterrents like lighting or audio alerts can stop an intruder before they cause damage. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you can help ensure Barlestone remains one of the safest villages in the district, especially as the local trend continues to improve.