Needingworth Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Needingworth

Needingworth, a built-up area within Huntingdonshire with a population of 2,342, reports an overall crime rate of 113.1 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is notably higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating that Needingworth faces more significant crime challenges compared to the national average. The area's safety score of 81 out of 100 also falls below the UK average safety score of 78. Furthermore, the latest data shows a substantial increasing trend in crime, with a 55.0% rise in total incidents year-on-year. This introduction provides a framework for understanding Needingworth's crime statistics, including specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with surrounding areas.

Crime Type Analysis in Needingworth

In Needingworth, Shoplifting is by far the most common crime type, with 167 incidents (71.3 per 1,000 residents), accounting for a significant 63.0% of all reported crimes. Violence and sexual offences rank as the second highest, with 42 recorded crimes (17.9 per 1,000, 15.8% of total). Anti-social behaviour is the third most prevalent, with 19 incidents (8.1 per 1,000, 7.2% of total). These categories highlight the primary areas of criminal activity in Needingworth.

Property-related crime, a key concern for residents and businesses, encompasses offences such as burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. Needingworth's property crime rate stands at 83.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crimes include 2 burglaries (0.8 per 1,000), 5 vehicle crimes (2.1 per 1,000), and 167 shoplifting incidents (71.3 per 1,000). Other theft (14 crimes), criminal damage and arson (6 crimes), bicycle theft (1 crime), and theft from the person (1 crime) also contribute to this category. The exceptionally high property crime rate, largely driven by shoplifting, suggests a critical need for heightened vigilance and robust security measures within the area.

Crime Trends in Needingworth

Needingworth has experienced a significant increasing trend in overall crime, with a year-over-year (YoY) change of 55.0%. This substantial rise indicates a considerable increase in reported incidents compared to the previous 12-month period. Reviewing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents reveals a fluctuating but generally upward pattern. Rates started at 16.7 in October 2024, saw a peak of 17.1 in November, and generally remained elevated throughout the period, with a rate of 4.3 in September. This considerable upward trend suggests that despite Needingworth's overall safety score, there has been a notable recent surge in criminal activity that residents should be aware of.

Crime Time Patterns in Needingworth

Crime patterns in Needingworth exhibit distinct fluctuations throughout the 24-hour cycle. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are primarily affected by theft, with vehicle crime also present. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft continues to dominate, with burglary and other crimes also notable. The evening period (6pm-12am) sees theft, other crimes, and vehicle crime as prominent issues. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the most significant specific issue, often accompanied by other unspecified incidents and theft. These patterns highlight that theft is a persistent issue across all periods in Needingworth, with vehicle-related crimes also prominent.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Examining Needingworth's crime statistics in comparison to similar nearby areas offers valuable local context. St Ives (Huntingdonshire), Over, Fen Drayton, and Bluntisham and Colne are all communities in close proximity. While specific crime rates for these areas would vary, Needingworth, being a smaller urban settlement, often presents a different crime profile due to factors like local amenities and transport links. Understanding how Needingworth compares to these neighbouring settlements can help residents gauge its relative safety and identify any localised patterns within the broader Huntingdonshire district.

Protecting Your Property in Needingworth

With Needingworth's property crime rate of 83.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly higher than the UK average, implementing robust home security is particularly important for residents and businesses. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage after a burglary or theft has occurred. However, effective security should focus on prevention, as many opportunistic criminals decide to target a property within 60 seconds of approach. This emphasizes the value of visible and proactive deterrents.

An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary, before an intrusion can take place. Unlike conventional DIY systems, scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence for comprehensive surveillance, ensuring no blind spots. Its advanced features, including DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning, enable it to differentiate between routine activity and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. With autonomous responses such as activating lights and engaging speakers, scOS effectively destroys the element of surprise, making your property a less appealing target. Investing in such professional-grade security provides a strong deterrent, giving you peace of mind by actively preventing crime.