Needingworth Crime Rate

Needingworth has an overall crime rate of 104.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 93.1. Consequently, the village has a safety score of 82/100, which is still above the national average for safety despite the higher crime rate. The crime trend is currently increasing, with a 17.3% rise in reports over the last year. With a population of 2,342, these figures indicate a challenging safety environment, particularly regarding property-related offences. The following data provides a detailed look at the specific crime types and trends affecting the Needingworth area.

Needingworth faces a unique crime profile dominated by shoplifting, followed by violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. Shoplifting is exceptionally high, with 143 recorded incidents accounting for 58.6% of all crime. Violence and sexual offences make up 18.4%, while anti-social behaviour accounts for 8.2%.

The property crime rate in Needingworth is 72.6 per 1,000 residents, which is more than double the UK average of 32.9. This high rate is primarily driven by the volume of shoplifting, but also includes 15 'other' thefts, 6 incidents of criminal damage and arson, and 3 vehicle crimes. For residents and business owners, this elevated property crime rate indicates a significant risk of retail-related offences. The concentration of shoplifting suggests that commercial areas require robust security measures to deter opportunistic criminals and maintain public order in this village setting.

Needingworth is seeing an increasing crime trend, with a 17.3% change in reports over the last year. Monthly data reveals a peak in November 2024 at 17.1 crimes per 1,000 people, with December (12.0) and January (9.4) also being high-activity months. The lowest crime rate was recorded in September 2025 at 4.3. This upward trend, particularly the spikes in winter, suggests that residents should maintain their security awareness and report any suspicious activity to help police manage this increase.

How To Keep Safe in Needingworth

Shoplifting is the most frequently reported crime in Needingworth. Given the village's higher-than-average property crime rate, taking extra precautions is advised.

1. Business owners should ensure their premises are well-monitored with a proactive security system to deter shoplifters.
2. Residents should be vigilant in areas where anti-social behaviour is more common, and report any concerns to local authorities.
3. Ensure your home is well-secured with high-quality locks and consider a proactive security system to deter opportunistic thieves.
4. If you park your vehicle on the street, ensure no valuables are left on display, as vehicle crime remains a minor concern.
5. Join a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about any crime trends or concerns in your specific part of the village.

Needingworth shows distinct crime patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) and afternoon hours (12pm-6pm) are heavily dominated by theft, which makes up 68-70% of reports during this time. This is likely driven by shoplifting in local businesses. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a significant spike in vehicle crime (26%) and burglary (17%), as residential areas become quieter. Evening hours (6pm-12am) are dominated by 'Other' offences, which make up 42% of reports. These patterns suggest that business owners should focus on security during opening hours, while residents should focus on property security overnight.

In the local area, Needingworth has a higher crime rate than most of its surrounding areas. While St Ives sits at 67.5, Bluntisham and Colne at 51.0, and Over at 34.5, Needingworth's 104.2 is significantly higher. Further afield, Fen Drayton reports a crime rate of 0.0, highlighting Needingworth as a primary hub for recorded activity in the immediate region. This context shows that Needingworth serves as the main hub for recorded activity compared to its smaller residential neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 72.6, Needingworth residents and business owners face a very high risk of theft and shoplifting. In such an environment, traditional 'record only' security systems are often insufficient.

scOS provides a proactive solution that identifies threats at the property line before they become a crime. By using AI to distinguish between a customer and a potential shoplifter or intruder, scOS ensures you only get alerted to real threats. Its autonomous response system can activate lights and speakers to scare off criminals in the critical 60 seconds before they attempt a crime. For Needingworth homeowners and businesses, moving to a proactive system like scOS means preventing crime rather than just having footage of it.