Ventnor Crime Rate

Ventnor, a popular seaside resort on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, recorded an overall crime rate of 99.3 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. This rate is slightly higher than the UK national average of 91.7, resulting in a safety score of 77/100 (UK average is 79/100). Notably, the crime trend in Ventnor is currently increasing, showing a 15.6% rise year-over-year. As a major tourist destination, Ventnor 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 town.

Ventnor's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.9% of all reported incidents, with 227 crimes recorded annually. Shoplifting is the second most common category at 13.0%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.8%. These figures reflect Ventnor's status as a popular seaside resort with a concentrated tourist area and a significant nighttime economy.

Property-related crime in Ventnor has a combined rate of 29.5 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 (13.0%), criminal damage and arson (7.0%), and other theft (5.8%). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively low, each representing only 1.6% of the total crime. 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 1.6 per 1,000 is low, but the overall property crime rate indicates that opportunistic theft is a persistent concern. Homeowners and business owners should focus on visible deterrents and proactive security measures, especially during the peak summer months when tourist footfall is at its highest and opportunistic incidents are more likely.

The monthly crime trend in Ventnor shows a seasonal pattern with a clear upward trajectory. The year began with a rate of 9.0 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, dipping in January before rising through the spring to peak at 10.9 in April 2025. Following this, the rate remained relatively high through the summer, peaking again at 10.4 in July, before settling back to 6.1 by November 2025.

The year-over-year change of 15.6% is a notable increase, showing a significant rise in total crime compared to the previous year. While Ventnor remains a safe area overall, this upward trend suggests that residents and business owners should be more vigilant than in previous years. The consistent rise across several months indicates that this is not just a seasonal spike but a sustained increase in reported activity. Continued monitoring and proactive community safety efforts will be important to address this trend and maintain the town's high safety standards.

How To Keep Safe in Ventnor

The most common crime type in Ventnor is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly 41% 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 Ventnor's nightlife, plan your route home in advance and try to travel with friends.

Property crime in Ventnor is led by shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. 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 Ventnor, 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 Ventnor 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 54% 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 59% 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 15% and 26% of incidents respectively. This combined 41% 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, Ventnor (99.3 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 Wroxall (40.0), Whitwell (24.8), and Godshill (37.9), all of which report much lower crime profiles. This comparison highlights Ventnor'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. For those considering the region, Ventnor offers a vibrant coastal lifestyle, though the recent upward trend in crime suggests a need for increased awareness and proactive security.

With a property crime rate of 29.5 per 1,000 people, Ventnor 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 and vehicle crime in Ventnor 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.