Bailrigg Crime Rate

Bailrigg is one of the safest areas in the Lancaster region, with an outstanding safety score of 93/100. Its overall crime rate is just 30.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6. While the area has seen an 11.0% increase in crime year-over-year, it remains a very low-risk environment. The property crime rate is also notably low at 12.8 per 1,000, far below the UK average of 32.2. This data highlights Bailrigg as a highly secure location, likely influenced by its status as a major university hub with dedicated security presence. The following sections provide a detailed look at crime types and temporal patterns to help residents maintain this high level of safety.

Bailrigg's crime profile is notably low, with violence and sexual offences being the most common category at 32.8% (56 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 19.3% and other theft at 17.0%. These three categories represent the majority of police recorded activity in the area.

Property-related crime in Bailrigg—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—stands at a rate of 12.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.2. Within this category, 'other theft' is the most frequent (17.0%), followed by vehicle crime (7.0%) and bicycle theft (5.8%). Burglary is remarkably rare, accounting for only 3.5% of total crime. For residents, particularly the large student population, these figures suggest that while opportunistic theft (especially of bicycles) is a factor to manage, the risk of serious property crime like burglary is extremely low compared to national standards.

Bailrigg's crime trend shows an 11.0% increase year-over-year. However, the monthly data for 2025 reveals that this increase was largely driven by an unusual spike at the very beginning of the year. In January 2025, the crime rate hit a peak of 7.6 per 1,000. For the remainder of the year, the rate dropped significantly and remained low, fluctuating between 0.7 and 3.9 per 1,000. The lowest point was recorded in September with just 0.7 crimes per 1,000 people. This pattern suggests that while the annual total is higher, the area has actually been very quiet for the majority of the year, with no sustained upward trend following the January outlier.

How To Keep Safe in Bailrigg

Violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type in Bailrigg, though the actual number of incidents is very low. Given the area's unique demographic, personal safety and theft prevention are key. To stay safe:

1. Use well-lit campus and residential paths when walking at night. Avoid shortcuts through unlit wooded areas or fields.
2. If you are a student, make use of university security services, such as safe-walk schemes or campus shuttles, especially during late-night study sessions.
3. Secure your bicycle with a high-quality D-lock and, if possible, store it in a locked indoor facility. Bicycle theft accounts for nearly 6% of crime in the area.
4. Keep windows and doors locked, even when you are inside. Opportunistic "sneak-in" thefts can occur in high-density residential areas like student halls or housing.
5. Do not leave valuables like laptops or phones visible through ground-floor windows. Most thefts in Bailrigg are opportunistic and can be prevented by removing the temptation.

Bailrigg's crime timings reflect its residential and academic nature. Theft-related offences are heavily concentrated in the morning (68%) and afternoon (63%), likely coinciding with peak activity on the university campus. As the day ends, the nature of crime shifts. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes a more significant relative threat, accounting for 26% of incidents, while burglary accounts for 13%. This suggests that while daytime is the peak for personal property theft, the early morning hours are when vehicles and residential structures are most at risk. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see a more balanced distribution, with theft still featuring prominently at 37%.

In the local context, Bailrigg is a premier choice for safety. It is dramatically more secure than the nearby city of Lancaster, which has a crime rate of 124.5 per 1,000. For those studying or working at the university, living in Bailrigg offers a level of safety that is hard to match in the urban centre. While it cannot quite reach the statistical zero-crime rates of the tiny rural hamlets of Galgate, Stodday, or Overton, it remains one of the most protected built-up areas in the local authority. Its safety profile makes it an ideal residential choice for those who want proximity to the city without the associated crime risks.

Bailrigg's property crime rate of 12.8 per 1,000 is among the lowest in the country. However, the 11.0% increase in overall crime suggests that even in very safe areas, maintaining a secure environment is an active process. In an area with a high student population, opportunistic theft—particularly of bicycles and electronics—is often the primary concern.

Traditional security systems are typically reactive, providing footage only after a theft has occurred. For residents in Bailrigg, a proactive approach is far more effective. The scOS AI-powered security system uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundaries in real-time. By identifying potential threats before they reach your home or storage areas, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio alerts. This immediate response is a powerful tool against the opportunists who commit most low-level thefts. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you ensure your property remains a hard target, helping to maintain Bailrigg's excellent safety record.