Ventnor Crime Rate

Ventnor, a picturesque seaside town on the Isle of Wight, has a safety score of 77/100, which is just below the UK average of 79. The town's overall crime rate is 99.3 per 1,000 people, higher than the national average of 91.6. Of particular concern is the recent trend direction, which shows a significant 14.0% increase in total crime year-over-year. Property crime stands at 28.8 per 1,000, which is slightly better than the UK average of 32.2. While Ventnor remains a popular and generally welcoming destination, the sharp rise in reported offences suggests that residents and business owners should be increasingly mindful of their security. The following analysis provides a deeper look into the specific crime patterns and trends currently affecting the town.

In Ventnor, the crime statistics are led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.7% of all reported incidents, totalling 226 crimes. Shoplifting is the second most common offence at 13.2%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.1% and public order offences at 11.9%. These figures reflect the town's character as a popular seaside destination where the combination of tourism and a busy town centre can lead to higher levels of public incidents.

Property-related crime in Ventnor occurs at a rate of 28.8 per 1,000 people, which is slightly lower than the UK average of 32.2. This category includes shoplifting, criminal damage and arson (6.8%), and other theft (4.7%). While the overall property crime rate is below the national average, the 14.0% year-over-year increase in total crime is a significant concern. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low at 1.6% and 2.0% respectively, but the rise in other theft and shoplifting indicates that opportunistic crime is becoming more frequent. For residents and local business owners, this highlights a need for improved security measures to protect against this upward trend in criminal activity.

Ventnor is currently experiencing an increasing crime trend, with total offences rising by 14.0% year-over-year. This significant upward movement suggests that the town's safety environment is changing and that residents should be more aware of their security than in previous years.

An analysis of the monthly data for 2025 reveals considerable fluctuation. Crime rates were at their lowest in January (5.6 per 1,000) but rose sharply through the spring, reaching a peak of 10.9 in April. Rates remained high during the summer, with July recording 10.4 per 1,000. Another notable peak occurred in October (9.8), followed by a dip in November before rising again in December (9.0). This pattern indicates that criminal activity in Ventnor is not just a summer tourism issue but has remained elevated throughout much of the year. For residents, the 14.0% annual increase is a strong signal to stay proactive about local safety and property protection.

How To Keep Safe in Ventnor

The most prevalent crime type in Ventnor is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.7% of total incidents. These are often concentrated in the town centre and along the seafront, particularly during the peak summer season and late at night.

When enjoying Ventnor's nightlife or evening events, it is important to stay in well-lit areas and travel in groups where possible. Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding secluded parts of the beach or parks after dark can significantly enhance your personal safety.

For local business owners, shoplifting is a significant concern, making up 13.2% of total crime. Implementing clear sightlines, good lighting, and proactive monitoring can help deter opportunistic theft during busy trading hours, particularly in the afternoon when these offences peak.

To protect your home, ensure that all entry points are securely locked, even when you are inside. Given the 14.0% increase in local crime, using proactive security like scOS can provide an additional layer of safety. scOS uses AI to detect and deter intruders at your property boundary, ensuring that any suspicious activity is addressed before it can lead to a break-in.

Crime in Ventnor follows a distinct temporal pattern throughout the day. The morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 44% and 48% of crimes in those periods, respectively. This coincides with the town's peak commercial activity and tourist footfall. As the evening (6pm-12am) approaches, there is a shift toward anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the night-time period (12am-6am) presents the highest relative risk for property owners. During these hours, burglary and vehicle crime account for a combined 43% of all reported incidents. This suggests that while the town is active and vibrant during the day, properties and vehicles are most vulnerable in the early hours of the morning when the streets are quiet. Homeowners should ensure their security measures are most robust during these high-risk night-time hours.

When compared to its immediate neighbours in the south of the island, Ventnor (99.3 per 1,000) has a higher crime rate than Shanklin (84.5), Wroxall (41.2), and Godshill (36.5). It is also significantly more active than the nearby village of Whitwell, which has a much lower rate of 24.1 per 1,000. As one of the larger settlements in this part of the island, Ventnor's higher crime rate reflects its status as a commercial and tourism hub. However, the 14.0% annual increase in crime is a distinct trend that sets it apart from some of its more stable neighbouring areas.

With property crime in Ventnor at 28.8 per 1,000 and an overall increasing trend in criminal activity, residents and business owners should consider the limitations of traditional security measures. Standard CCTV and doorbell cameras are reactive; they provide footage of an incident after it has occurred, which often does little to prevent the initial loss or trauma. In a town where opportunistic theft is on the rise, a proactive approach is essential.

scOS represents the next generation of home and business protection by using AI to intervene before a crime takes place. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS can distinguish between a routine visitor and a potential threat at your property boundary. If an unknown person is detected in a sensitive area, the system can autonomously activate lights and speakers to destroy the element of surprise. This proactive deterrence is far more effective than simply recording a crime. For those in Ventnor, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI-driven prevention is the most effective way to safeguard their property against the town's rising crime rate.