Newport (Isle of Wight) Crime Rate

Newport (Isle of Wight) Crime Statistics

Newport serves as the central hub of the Isle of Wight, and its crime statistics reflect its urban nature. The town has an overall crime rate of 134.4 per 1,000 people, which is notably higher than the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, Newport maintains a safety score of 68/100, indicating a relatively secure environment compared to many larger mainland towns. The crime trend is currently stable, with a modest 2.5% increase year-over-year. As the island's primary commercial centre, Newport sees a high volume of retail-related offences alongside its residential activity. This report details the crime patterns from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 to help residents understand the local safety context.

Crime in Newport (Isle of Wight)

Newport, as the island's administrative and commercial heart, experiences a higher crime rate than the surrounding rural areas. The most common offences are violence and sexual offences, which make up 42.3% of all reported crime. Shoplifting is also significantly high at 13.3%, reflecting the town's role as a major retail hub. Public order offences follow closely at 11.0%.

The overall property crime rate in Newport is 37.9 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 32.2. This category includes 453 shoplifting incidents, 205 cases of criminal damage, and 52 burglaries. For residents and business owners, this indicates that while violent crime is the most frequent category, property-related offences—particularly those targeting businesses—are a major component of the local crime landscape. Homeowners should be aware that while burglary rates are relatively low at 2.0 per 1,000, the high volume of other property crimes suggests a need for robust security measures.

Crime Trends in Newport (Isle of Wight)

The crime trend in Newport is currently stable, with a year-over-year increase of 2.5%. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, starting at 9.0 in January and rising to a peak of 13.3 in July. This mid-summer spike is characteristic of the area, likely influenced by the increased footfall and activity during the peak tourism season.

The rate remained high in August (13.2) before gradually decreasing as the year progressed, ending with a slight uptick to 11.4 in December. This pattern suggests that while Newport is the island's most active town year-round, it is particularly susceptible to crime during the summer months. For residents and local businesses, the stable trend is a sign of consistency, but the seasonal peaks highlight the importance of maintaining high security standards during the busiest times of the year.

How To Keep Safe in Newport (Isle of Wight)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Newport, frequently occurring in the town centre. To stay safe, it is recommended to remain in well-lit, populated areas when walking at night, particularly near the bus station and main shopping streets. If you are out late, try to travel with friends or use registered taxis.

The high rate of shoplifting (13.3% of total crime) also impacts the town's atmosphere. For business owners, investing in high-quality surveillance and clear signage is essential. For residents, being aware of your personal belongings in crowded areas can prevent 'other theft' offences. Additionally, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour suggests that avoiding known hotspots during late hours and reporting issues to the local council or police can help maintain a safer community environment for everyone.

When Crime Occurs in Newport

Crime in Newport follows a distinct pattern linked to its role as a commercial hub. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the busiest period, accounting for a high volume of theft and shoplifting as the town's retail areas are most active. During this time, 53% of crimes are theft-related. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the focus shifts towards 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which make up 62% of incidents in this period.

The night-time hours (12am-6am) see the lowest overall volume of crime, but the nature of the offences changes. This period has the highest percentage of burglaries (17%) and vehicle crimes (14%). This suggests that while there are fewer people on the streets, unattended properties and vehicles become more vulnerable. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a return to theft-dominated activity (51%) as businesses reopen and the daily commute begins.

Nearby Area Comparison

Comparing Newport to its neighbours highlights its position as the island's most active urban centre. Newport's crime rate of 134.4 per 1,000 is significantly higher than that of Cowes (47.8) and Wootton (48.9). Nearby rural areas like Merstone and Rookley reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, illustrating the sharp contrast between the town's busy centre and the surrounding countryside. For those living or working in the region, Newport offers the most amenities but also carries a higher crime volume, making it the primary focus for law enforcement and community safety efforts on the island.

Protecting Your Property in Newport

Newport's property crime rate of 37.9 per 1,000 residents is above the national average, making effective home security a priority. While burglary rates are low, the high incidence of criminal damage and other thefts suggests that properties are often targeted by opportunistic offenders. Traditional security systems that merely record footage are often insufficient; by the time you check the video, the damage is done.

scOS changes this dynamic by offering proactive, AI-driven protection. Instead of just documenting a crime, scOS monitors your property's perimeter to detect and deter threats in real-time. For Newport homeowners and business owners, this means the system can identify a suspicious individual and activate deterrents like lighting or audio warnings before they even attempt to touch your property. In a busy town centre where property crime is more frequent, moving to an autonomous, proactive system like scOS provides the best defence for your assets.