Sandown Crime Rate

Sandown, a popular seaside resort on the Isle of Wight, recorded an overall crime rate of 103.9 per 1,000 people for the period between December 2024 and November 2025. While this is higher than the UK national average of 91.7, the town maintains a respectable safety score of 75/100 (UK average is 79/100). Most notably, the crime trend in Sandown is significantly decreasing, with a 12.4% drop year-over-year. This indicates that the town is actively becoming safer. As a major tourist destination, Sandown experiences seasonal fluctuations that influence these 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 vibrant coastal community.

Sandown's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.3% of all reported incidents, with 511 crimes recorded annually. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 14.2%, followed by shoplifting at 9.7%. These figures reflect Sandown's status as a popular seaside resort with a concentrated tourist area and a significant nighttime economy.

Property-related crime in Sandown has a combined rate of 30.8 per 1,000 people, which is one of the higher rates on the island but still below the UK average. This category is driven by shoplifting (9.7%), criminal damage and arson (7.7%), and other theft (5.0%). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, each representing about 3% and 2% of the total crime respectively. For residents and business owners, the higher rate of shoplifting and criminal damage suggests that commercial properties and public spaces are frequently targeted. The burglary rate of 3.2 per 1,000, while moderate, still represents nearly 40 incidents a year. This suggests that while Sandown is generally safe, maintaining visible security measures and proactive deterrents for both homes and businesses is important, especially during the peak summer months when opportunistic crime is more likely.

The monthly crime trend in Sandown shows a seasonal pattern with a clear overall downward trajectory. The year began with a rate of 10.2 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, dipping in the late winter before rising to a summer peak of 10.6 in August 2025. This peak directly coincides with the busiest tourist month. The rate then saw a significant decline, returning to 6.6 by November 2025.

The year-over-year change of -12.4% is a very positive indicator, showing a substantial reduction in total crime compared to the previous year. This suggests that Sandown is not only maintaining its safety levels but is actively becoming much safer. For residents, this trend is very reassuring, indicating that local safety initiatives and policing are being highly effective. While the summer peak remains a period for increased vigilance, the overall downward trend provides a very positive outlook for the town's safety environment.

How To Keep Safe in Sandown

The most common crime type in Sandown is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 40% of all reports. To stay safe, particularly in the town centre or near the seafront during the evening, it is advisable to remain in well-lit, busy areas and be aware of your surroundings. When enjoying Sandown's nightlife, plan your route home in advance and try to travel with friends.

Property crime in Sandown 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, especially in busy tourist car parks. Given the higher percentage of shoplifting in the area, local business owners should consider enhanced security for their premises. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also provide valuable insights into any specific crime patterns emerging in your part of Sandown, allowing you to take early preventative action with your neighbours. These simple, proactive steps will help you enjoy the safety of this coastal town.

Analysis of time-based crime patterns in Sandown 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 44% and 45% of incidents in those periods respectively. This is likely linked to the town's retail activity and high tourist footfall. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, become more dominant, making up 57% of reports.

The night-time period (12am - 6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall crime volume is lower, the percentage of burglary and vehicle crime peaks during these hours, accounting for 24% and 23% of incidents respectively. This combined 47% 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 busy daytime periods, particularly during the peak summer holiday season.

In a local context, Sandown (103.9 per 1,000) has a higher reported crime rate than several of its immediate neighbours. It is more active than the nearby resort of Shanklin (80.2) and significantly more so than the rural villages of Winford (47.3), Alverstone Garden Village, and Newchurch, all of which report lower crime profiles. This comparison highlights Sandown's role as a major social and tourist hub for the island; it naturally attracts more activity and, consequently, more reported incidents than the surrounding quieter residential and rural areas. However, the strong decreasing trend in Sandown is a very positive sign for those considering the town as a place to live or visit.

With a property crime rate of 30.8 per 1,000 people, Sandown has a higher risk profile for theft and damage than some other parts of the island. 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—the time when burglaries in Sandown 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 property in a busy resort town.