Ryde Crime Rate

Ryde, a prominent seaside town on the Isle of Wight, recorded an overall crime rate of 94.9 per 1,000 people for the period between December 2024 and November 2025. This rate is slightly higher than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 75/100 (UK average is 79/100). The crime trend in Ryde is currently stable, having seen a decrease of 3.1% year-over-year. As a major transport hub and tourist destination, Ryde experiences fluctuations in activity that influence these statistics. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and specific time patterns to help residents and visitors understand the local safety landscape.

Ryde's crime profile is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which constitute 52.3% of all reported incidents, with 1,194 crimes recorded annually. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (10.7%) and public order offences (9.0%). These figures reflect the town's status as a major entry point for the island and a centre for nightlife and social activity.

Property crime in Ryde has a combined rate of 20.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average. This category includes criminal damage and arson (7.2%), other theft (5.4%), and shoplifting (3.9%). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, together making up about 3.5% of total crimes. For residents, this means that while the risk of burglary is low (2.0 per 1,000), opportunistic theft and criminal damage are more persistent concerns. The high percentage of violence and sexual offences suggests that personal safety in public spaces, particularly during peak social hours, is a priority for the local community. Homeowners and business owners should focus on visible deterrents to address the risk of criminal damage and theft, which are the most common property-related offences in the town.

The monthly crime trend in Ryde shows some fluctuation throughout the year. Starting at 8.0 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, the rate dipped in the late winter before seeing a significant spike to 10.4 in April 2025. Following this, the rate remained relatively high through the summer, peaking again at 8.9 in July, before settling back to 7.4 by November 2025.

The year-over-year change is a decrease of 3.1%, suggesting that while there are seasonal peaks—particularly around the Easter and summer periods—the overall volume of crime in Ryde is slightly declining. For residents, this indicates that the town is maintaining its safety levels well. The April peak is particularly notable and may be linked to the start of the tourist season and increased social activity. The general downward trend is a positive sign that local community safety initiatives are having a cumulative beneficial effect.

How To Keep Safe in Ryde

The most common crime type in Ryde is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 52% of all reports. To stay safe, particularly in the town centre or near transport hubs during the evening, it is advisable to remain in well-lit, busy areas and be aware of your surroundings. When enjoying Ryde's nightlife, plan your route home in advance and try to travel with friends.

While property crime is below the national average, the presence of criminal damage and opportunistic theft suggests that basic home security is still important. 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, especially in busy seafront 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 Ryde, allowing you to take early preventative action with your neighbours to maintain the town's safety.

Analysis of time-based crime patterns in Ryde 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, accounting for 49% and 52% of incidents in those periods respectively. This aligns with peak retail hours and the opening of town centre businesses. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, which include public order and anti-social behaviour, become more dominant, making up 58% of reports.

The night-time period (12am - 6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall crime volume may be lower, the percentage of burglary and vehicle crime peaks during these hours, accounting for 20% and 19% of incidents respectively. This suggests that properties and vehicles are most vulnerable when the town is quietest and surveillance is lower. Residents should ensure that home security measures are most active during these late-night hours, while remaining vigilant against opportunistic theft during busy daytime shopping periods.

In a local context, Ryde (94.9 per 1,000) has a significantly higher crime rate than its immediate rural neighbours such as Pondwell, Havenstreet, and Fishbourne, all of which report very low crime profiles in this data. It also has more reported activity than the nearby residential village of Seaview and Nettlestone (34.6 per 1,000). This comparison highlights Ryde's role as a major urban centre and gateway to the island; it naturally attracts more activity and, consequently, more reported incidents than the surrounding quieter settlements. For those considering the region, Ryde offers the amenities of a busy town while maintaining a safety profile that is only marginally above the national average.

With a property crime rate of 20.3 per 1,000 people, Ryde is a relatively safe town, but property-related offences such as criminal damage and theft are still a factor. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV cameras, are essentially reactive; they provide you with a recording of an event after it has already occurred. In many cases, this footage is only useful for insurance claims or police evidence, rather than preventing the crime itself.

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—a time when burglaries in Ryde 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.