Shanklin Crime Rate

Shanklin, a picturesque seaside resort on the Isle of Wight, recorded an overall crime rate of 80.2 per 1,000 people for the period between December 2024 and November 2025. This rate is lower than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 79/100, which matches the UK average. Most encouragingly, the crime trend in Shanklin is decreasing, with a 10.4% drop year-over-year. As a popular tourist destination, Shanklin 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 charming coastal town.

Shanklin's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 50.1% of all reported incidents, with 366 crimes recorded annually. Public order offences are the second most common category at 10.9%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 8.3%. These figures reflect Shanklin's status as a popular seaside resort with a vibrant tourist area and a concentrated nighttime economy.

Property-related crime in Shanklin has a combined rate of 20.0 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average. This category is led by criminal damage and arson (7.9%), other theft (7.0%), and shoplifting (4.7%). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, together making up about 4% of total crimes. For residents, this means that while the risk of burglary is low (1.8 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 Shanklin shows a seasonal pattern with a clear overall downward trajectory. The year began with a rate of 4.3 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, rising through the spring to a summer peak of 9.2 in May and 8.5 in August 2025. This peak directly coincides with the start of the tourist season. The rate then saw a decline, returning to 5.5 by November 2025.

The year-over-year change of -10.4% is a very positive indicator, showing a significant reduction in total crime compared to the previous year. This suggests that Shanklin 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 Shanklin

The most common crime type in Shanklin is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 50% 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 Shanklin's nightlife, plan your route home in advance and try to travel with others.

Property crime in Shanklin is led by criminal damage and 'other theft'. 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. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also provide valuable insights into any specific crime patterns emerging in your part of Shanklin, allowing you to take early preventative action with your neighbours. These simple, proactive steps will help you enjoy the safety of this beautiful coastal town.

Analysis of time-based crime patterns in Shanklin 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 53% of incidents in those periods respectively. This aligns with the town's retail activity and 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 60% 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 15% and 24% of incidents respectively. This combined 39% 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, especially during the peak summer holiday season.

In a local context, Shanklin (80.2 per 1,000) has a lower reported crime rate than its larger neighbour Sandown (103.9). However, it is more active than the rural villages of Winford (47.3), Wroxall (40.0), and Alverstone Garden Village, all of which report lower crime profiles. This comparison highlights Shanklin'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 Shanklin is a very positive sign for those considering the town as a place to live or visit, offering a safe and improving environment.

With a property crime rate of 20.0 per 1,000 people, Shanklin 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—the time when burglaries and vehicle crime in Shanklin 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.