East Cowes Crime Rate

East Cowes, a key port town on the Isle of Wight, recorded an overall crime rate of 71.6 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. This is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a high safety score of 82/100 (UK average is 79/100). However, the crime trend in East Cowes is currently increasing, showing an 11.8% rise year-over-year. As a major ferry terminal, East Cowes experiences significant transient traffic which can influence local crime statistics. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and specific time-based insights to help residents and visitors understand the local safety landscape in this important maritime town.

East Cowes exhibits a crime profile where violence and sexual offences are the most common, accounting for 48.3% of all incidents, with 320 crimes recorded annually. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 10.7%, followed by public order offences at 10.1%. These figures reflect the town's role as a major ferry terminal and a centre for marine industry.

Property-related crime in East Cowes has a combined rate of 17.7 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average. This category is led by shoplifting (8.6%), criminal damage and arson (7.2%), and other theft (3.8%). Burglary and vehicle crime are very low, each representing about 2.3% and 1.1% of the total crime respectively. For residents, this means that East Cowes is a relatively safe urban area, with low risks of serious property-related offences. However, the prevalence of shoplifting and criminal damage suggests that commercial properties and public spaces are the primary targets for opportunistic crime. Homeowners should focus on basic deterrents, as the low burglary rate (1.6 per 1,000) indicates a generally secure residential environment. The presence of the ferry terminal and associated transient traffic likely contributes to the higher levels of public order and anti-social behaviour offences.

The monthly crime trend in East Cowes shows a steady upward trajectory with some minor fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 5.2 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, rising gradually through the spring and summer to peak at 7.0 in both May and September 2025. The rate remained relatively high throughout the latter half of the year, ending at 6.2 in November.

The year-over-year change of 11.8% indicates a notable increase in total crime compared to the previous year. While East Cowes remains a safe area overall, this upward trend suggests that residents and business owners should be more vigilant than in previous years. The consistent rise across several months indicates that this is not just a seasonal spike but a sustained increase in reported activity. Continued monitoring and proactive community safety efforts will be important to address this trend and maintain the town's high safety standards.

How To Keep Safe in East Cowes

The most common crime type in East Cowes is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 48% of all reports. To stay safe, particularly near the ferry terminal or town centre during the evening, it is advisable to remain in well-lit, busy areas and be aware of your surroundings. Plan your journeys in advance and try to travel with others when socialising late at night.

Property crime in East Cowes is led by shoplifting and criminal damage. To protect your home, ensure that side gates are locked and that garden tools or ladders are not left out, as these can be used to gain entry to your property. For vehicle owners, always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any bags or electronics on display. Given the ferry terminal activity, be especially mindful of vehicle security when parked in public areas for extended periods. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also provide valuable insights into any specific crime patterns emerging in your part of East Cowes, allowing you to take early preventative action with your neighbours. These simple, proactive steps will help maintain the town's high standard of safety.

Analysis of time-based crime patterns in East Cowes shows that different offences peak at various times of the day. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) and afternoons (12pm - 6pm) see a high concentration of theft-related crimes, both accounting for 41% of incidents in those periods. This aligns with the town's daily commercial activity and ferry terminal operation. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, become dominant, making up 65% of reports.

The night-time period (12am - 6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall crime volume is at its lowest, the percentage of burglary and vehicle crime peaks during these hours, accounting for 21% and 14% of incidents respectively. This combined 35% share suggests that properties and vehicles are most vulnerable when the town is quietest. Residents should ensure that home security measures are most active overnight, while remaining aware of opportunistic theft during busier daytime periods, especially near the high-traffic ferry terminal area.

In a local context, East Cowes (71.6 per 1,000) has a higher reported crime rate than its immediate neighbours like Cowes (48.2) and Wootton (48.3), but it is significantly safer than the island's main urban hub, Newport (134.0). It also has more reported activity than the nearby rural settlement of Fishbourne. This comparison highlights East Cowes' role as a busy transport and industrial hub; it naturally attracts more activity and, consequently, more reported incidents than the surrounding quieter residential and rural areas. For those considering the region, East Cowes offers a high level of safety compared to the UK average, though it is currently experiencing a slight upward trend in reported crime.

With a property crime rate of 17.7 per 1,000 people, East Cowes is statistically a safe area for homeowners. However, property-related offences like shoplifting and criminal damage still occur, and proactive protection is the most effective way to ensure your home remains secure. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV cameras, are essentially reactive; they provide you with a recording of an event after it has already occurred, which is often too late to prevent loss or damage.

The scOS AI-powered home security operating system offers a proactive alternative designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's entire boundary, scOS can detect potential threats in real-time. It learns to distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and suspicious activity, ensuring that you only receive alerts for genuine threats. If an unidentified person is detected near your home or vehicle at night—the time when burglaries in East Cowes are most frequent—the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or audio deterrents. This immediate intervention destroys the element of surprise and often discourages criminals before they even attempt a break-in, providing genuine proactive protection for your home in this busy port town.