Isle of Wight Crime Rate

The Isle of Wight Local Authority District (LAD) recorded an overall crime rate of 83.0 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. This is lower than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 79/100, which matches the UK average. The crime trend on the island is currently stable, showing a slight decrease of 1.7% year-over-year. These figures indicate that the Isle of Wight is a relatively safe and secure environment for both residents and visitors. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of the specific types of crime on the island and an analysis of monthly trends to help you understand the local safety landscape in more detail.

The Isle of Wight is a unique local authority area, being an island off the south coast of England with a mix of busy seaside resorts, historic market towns, and vast rural landscapes. Its geography naturally influences its crime statistics, as the island's self-contained nature and limited access points (via ferry) create a distinct environment for law enforcement. The island's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, with the population swelling significantly during the summer months and for major events like the Isle of Wight Festival.

This seasonal influx of visitors can lead to fluctuations in crime rates, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour, public order offences, and shoplifting in popular resort towns. Conversely, the island's many rural and agricultural communities tend to experience very low crime levels. The resident population is generally older than the UK average, which also influences the types of crime reported. While the island is perceived as a very safe and tranquil place, the concentrated activity in its urban centres and the seasonal tourist peaks contribute to its overall crime profile. These factors, combined with the island's unique social and economic structure, define its safety landscape.

In the Isle of Wight, the crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.0% of all reported incidents, with 5,405 crimes recorded annually. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 10.8% and public order offences at 9.9%. These figures reflect the challenges of managing concentrated urban areas and seasonal tourist destinations where social interactions and nightlife are more prevalent.

Property-related crime on the island has a combined rate of 22.0 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average. Within this category, shoplifting (8.5%), criminal damage and arson (7.2%), and other theft (5.8%) are the most common. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively infrequent, making up 2.3% and 1.4% of the total crime respectively. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of property crime is low, opportunistic theft—particularly shoplifting in commercial areas—and vandalism are the primary concerns. The low rate of burglary (1.9 per 1,000) is a positive indicator of residential safety, but homeowners should still be aware that over 260 incidents occur annually. This suggests that maintaining sensible security measures for homes and businesses remains important to deter opportunistic criminals who may be active, especially in the more populated resort towns.

The monthly crime trend on the Isle of Wight shows a seasonal pattern throughout the year. Starting at 6.8 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, the rate dipped in the winter months before rising in the spring and peaking at 8.0 in July and August 2025. This peak directly coincides with the island's busiest tourist months. The rate then saw a gradual decline, returning to 6.0 by November 2025.

With a year-over-year change of -1.7%, the crime rate on the Isle of Wight is stable. This consistency indicates that the local safety environment is well-managed, even with the significant influx of visitors during the summer. For residents, this stability is reassuring, suggesting that while they should be more vigilant during the busier summer months—particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and public order offences in resort areas—the overall risk remains consistent and relatively low throughout the year.

In a regional context, the Isle of Wight (83.0 per 1,000) has a higher reported crime rate than some of its nearby mainland neighbours like Gosport, Fareham, and Eastleigh (63.1), which report lower figures in this dataset. However, the island is significantly safer than larger mainland urban centres such as Portsmouth and Southampton. This comparison highlights the Isle of Wight's unique position; while it experiences more activity than some of the mainland's quieter suburban areas—likely due to its high volume of seasonal tourism—it remains a much more secure environment than the major industrial and port cities across the Solent. For residents and visitors, the island offers a balanced safety profile within the wider South Coast region.

With a property crime rate of 22.0 per 1,000 people, the Isle of Wight is statistically a safe area for homeowners. However, property-related offences like criminal damage and theft still occur, and proactive protection is the most effective way to ensure your home remains secure. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarms, are reactive; they notify you or record footage after a crime has already taken place.

The scOS AI-powered home security operating system shifts the focus from recording to prevention. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's entire boundary, scOS can detect potential threats in real-time before they escalate. It learns to distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats, ensuring you only receive alerts when it truly matters. If an unidentified person is detected near your home at night, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or audio deterrents. This immediate intervention often discourages opportunistic criminals, who prefer easier targets. On the Isle of Wight, scOS provides an extra layer of proactive security that ensures your home stays as safe as possible throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Isle of Wight

The most common crime type on the Isle of Wight is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46% of all reports. To stay safe, particularly in the larger resort towns or during the busy summer season, it is advisable to remain in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. If you are out late, try to travel with others and use reputable transport services.

While property crime is low, the presence of shoplifting and criminal damage suggests that basic security should not be overlooked by residents and business owners. Ensure that side gates are locked and that garden tools or ladders are not left out, as these can be used by opportunistic thieves. For vehicle owners, always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any bags or electronics on display, especially in busy tourist car parks. Being part of a local community group or Neighbourhood Watch can also provide valuable insights into any specific crime patterns emerging in your part of the island, allowing you to take early preventative action. These simple steps help maintain the island's high standard of safety.