Drighlington Crime Rate

Drighlington is a large settlement within the Leeds local authority with a population of 3,588. Current data indicates a crime rate of 104.0 per 1,000 people, which is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6. The area currently holds a safety score of 75/100, placing it slightly below the national average for security. Most significantly, Drighlington has experienced a sharp increase in crime, with a 27.3% year-over-year rise. This upward trend suggests a changing safety landscape that residents should be aware of. While the area maintains its residential character, the combination of a higher-than-average crime rate and an increasing trend indicates that security and crime prevention have become more prominent concerns for the local community than in previous years.

In Drighlington, the crime breakdown is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 38.9% of all recorded incidents (40.4 per 1,000 people). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.5% and criminal damage and arson at 10.2%. For residents, property crime is a significant factor, with an overall property crime rate of 36.8 per 1,000 residents. This combined figure includes burglary (6.7%), shoplifting (6.4%), vehicle crime (4.8%), and various forms of theft. The burglary rate of 7.0 per 1,000 is a notable concern for homeowners, especially as it represents nearly 7% of all local crime. Additionally, criminal damage and arson rates are higher than in many neighbouring areas, suggesting a need for robust external property protection. While violence is the most common crime type, the diverse range of property-related offences indicates that Drighlington faces a broader set of security challenges than some of its more rural neighbours, impacting both residential and commercial properties.

The crime trend in Drighlington is concerning, with a 27.3% year-over-year increase in total recorded offences. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 in January and February, before jumping to a peak of 9.8 in March. Throughout the spring and summer, the rate remained high, consistently staying between 8.6 and 9.5 per 1,000, with a slight dip to 6.1 in July. The latter part of the year saw no significant reduction, with October matching the high of 9.5 and the year closing at 8.4 in December. This sustained high level of activity throughout the year indicates that the increase is not a seasonal anomaly but a consistent trend. For residents, this highlights the importance of staying informed and taking proactive steps to secure their homes and community.

How To Keep Safe in Drighlington

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Drighlington. To stay safe, always plan your routes in advance and stick to well-lit, busy streets when walking at night. Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding distractions like wearing headphones can significantly improve your personal security.

Given that criminal damage and arson are also among the top three crime types, it is important to secure the exterior of your property. Ensure that gates are locked, fences are in good repair, and no flammable materials or loose items are left in your front garden. Motion-activated security lighting is a highly effective way to deter individuals from approaching your home under the cover of darkness.

Anti-social behaviour is a persistent local issue. If you experience ongoing problems, keep a detailed log of incidents and report them to the local authorities to ensure a coordinated response. For property security, the high rate of afternoon and night-time burglaries means that homes should be secured at all times. Using a smart security system that provides real-time alerts can help you monitor your property even when you are not there.

In Drighlington, crime follows a very specific temporal pattern. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the busiest period for theft and burglary, with theft accounting for 37% and burglary for 30% of incidents. This suggests that residential and commercial properties are targeted during peak activity hours. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a high concentration of burglary (31%) and vehicle crime (31%), indicating that quiet hours are exploited for property theft. The evening period (6pm-12am) is dominated by miscellaneous 'other' crimes, which make up 48% of reports, alongside a 25% burglary rate. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are also significant for theft (37%). Overall, burglary is a consistent threat throughout the 24-hour cycle, but vehicle crime is uniquely concentrated in the late-night and early-morning hours. These patterns highlight that security must be a 24/7 priority for Drighlington residents.

In comparison to its neighbours, Drighlington (104.0 crimes per 1,000) occupies a challenging position. It is considerably safer than Morley, which has a much higher rate of 137.3, and slightly safer than Batley (109.0). However, it experiences more crime than Gildersome (97.2) and is significantly less safe than Gomersal and Birkenshaw, which boasts a lower rate of 71.6. This regional context shows that Drighlington sits at the higher end of the crime spectrum for suburban Leeds. For those considering the area, it offers more security than the larger nearby towns but lacks the very low crime rates found in the smaller, more rural villages in the immediate vicinity.

With a property crime rate of 36.8 per 1,000 and a rising trend in criminal activity, residents of Drighlington are increasingly looking for more effective ways to secure their homes. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are reactive by nature; they notify you or record footage only after a break-in has already occurred. In an area where burglary and criminal damage are notable risks, proactive protection is a far more effective strategy. The scOS AI-powered security operating system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously with intelligent AI, scOS identifies threats at the property boundary. If a suspicious individual is detected, the system can autonomously respond—activating lights and audio alerts to destroy the element of surprise. For Drighlington homeowners, scOS provides a professional-grade deterrent that traditional DIY systems cannot match. It’s the difference between having a video of your burglary and preventing it from ever taking place. Protecting your property in a rising crime area requires a system that is as proactive as the threats it faces.