St Neots Crime Rate

St Neots is a safe and secure urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 73.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. This high level of safety is reflected in a safety score of 83/100, placing the town well above the national benchmark of 79/100. While St Neots has seen a 10.7% increase in crime over the past year, it remains one of the more secure market towns in the region. Property-related crime is notably lower than the national average, though personal safety and anti-social behaviour remain the most frequently reported incidents. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to help the community stay informed and secure.

Crime in St Neots

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime category in St Neots, accounting for 34.3% of all reports with 881 incidents. Anti-social behaviour (20.9%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%) are the next most significant issues. Overall, property-related crime—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—stands at 24.3 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average of 32.3, suggesting that St Neots is a relatively safe environment for homeowners. Shoplifting is a prominent concern within the property category, representing 7.7% of total crime. For residents, these figures indicate that while personal safety and public order are the primary local concerns, property security remains a relevant consideration, particularly regarding vehicle crime which accounts for 6.2% of reports.

St Neots has experienced a 10.7% increase in crime over the past year, a trend that is clearly reflected in the monthly data. The period saw crime rates peak during the summer months, with the highest rate recorded in July 2025 at 8.7 per 1,000. Following this peak, the rate has shown a gradual decline, settling at 4.8 by November 2025. This pattern suggests that while the overall annual volume has increased, the town experienced its most active period during the middle of the year. Residents should be aware that while St Neots remains very safe, the slight upward trend indicates a need for continued focus on community safety measures.

How To Keep Safe in St Neots

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in St Neots, making up over 34% of all reported incidents. To enhance your personal safety, consider these practical and proactive tips:

• Always be aware of your surroundings when walking in public areas, particularly during the evening and night; stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts.
• If you are out socialising, try to travel with others and ensure someone knows your expected arrival time and route home.
• Get involved in local community safety groups or neighbourhood watch schemes; a connected and vigilant community is an excellent deterrent against anti-social behaviour.
• Keep your home's exterior well-lit at night; motion-activated lighting can deter both anti-social behaviour and potential property intruders.
• Given the high proportion of vehicle crime at night, ensure your car is parked in a secure, well-lit area and that no valuables are left inside.
• Report any suspicious activity or public disorder to the local police; early reporting helps authorities allocate resources effectively and maintain the town's high safety score.
• Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and easily accessible when you are out, and consider using safety features like location sharing with trusted contacts.

Crime in St Neots exhibits distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is a primary concern, accounting for 30% and 35% of crimes respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crime is more common during daylight hours when town activity is highest. Conversely, as the day transitions into night, the nature of crime shifts dramatically. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime reaches its highest proportion at a striking 45% of period crimes, which is significantly higher than at any other time. The evening and night periods are also heavily dominated by 'other' crimes, which includes the area's most frequent category, violence and sexual offences. This pattern highlights that while theft is a daytime risk, vehicles are exceptionally vulnerable overnight in St Neots.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, St Neots occupies a typical position for a larger market town. Its crime rate of 73.3 is higher than the nearby village of Little Paxton (58.3), which is common for a more populated urban centre. Smaller rural areas like Hail Weston, Wyboston, and Great Paxton reported no crime during this period, reflecting their much lower population densities. For residents, St Neots offers a balance of urban amenities with a safety profile that is significantly better than the UK typical experience, making it a secure choice for the Huntingdonshire region.

With a property crime rate of 24.3 per 1,000, St Neots residents enjoy a safer environment than many other parts of the UK. However, the 10.7% increase in overall crime suggests that maintaining this security requires a proactive approach. Traditional security systems often provide a reactive record of a crime after it has happened. scOS changes this by offering proactive protection. Using AI, scOS monitors your property's boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats like unauthorised individuals or vehicles with cloned plates. When a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights and speakers to deter the intruder before they attempt a break-in. In a town like St Neots, where vehicle crime is a major concern overnight—accounting for 45% of night-time crime—having a system that actively defends your home 24/7 is the most effective way to ensure your property remains a hard target.