Scholes (Leeds) Crime Rate

Scholes (Leeds) is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 45.7 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. This is reflected in its strong safety score of 88/100. However, recent data for the period of January 2025 to December 2025 indicates a sharp upward trend, with crime increasing by 35.1% year-over-year. While the area remains secure compared to national standards, this rise highlights a changing local landscape. Violence and sexual offences remain the most common crime types, followed by anti-social behaviour and burglary. For residents of Scholes, understanding these trends is key to maintaining the community's high safety standards.

Crime Breakdown in Scholes (Leeds)

In Scholes (Leeds), the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 45.7% of all recorded incidents (20.9 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.6%, and both burglary and public order offences at 9.4% each. While Scholes is a relatively high-safety area, the prevalence of violence as the top crime type is consistent with wider regional trends.

Property-related crime, including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 13.0 per 1,000 people. Burglary specifically makes up 9.4% of total crime, with 12 incidents recorded in the Jan-Dec 2025 period. For residents, this property crime rate is well below the national average, but the significant year-over-year increase in overall crime suggests that homeowners should be more proactive about their security than they might have been in previous years. Ensuring that both the home and outbuildings are secure is essential to maintaining the area's generally safe character.

Crime Trends in Scholes (Leeds)

Scholes (Leeds) has experienced a significant increase in crime over the past year, with a year-over-year rise of 35.1%. This trend is a notable departure from the more stable patterns seen in neighbouring areas. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with relatively low rates in January (2.2) and February (2.5), before jumping to 4.7 in March and April.

The crime rate peaked in July at 6.1 per 1,000 residents, followed by a sharp drop in August to 1.8. However, activity rebounded in the autumn, with rates of 4.3 in September and 5.0 in October. This volatile pattern suggests that crime in Scholes may be occurring in clusters or linked to specific local events. While the overall crime rate remains low by national standards, the 35.1% increase suggests that the community is currently in a period of heightened activity, making consistent home security more important than ever.

How To Keep Safe in Scholes (Leeds)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Scholes, followed by anti-social behaviour. While the area is generally safe, taking practical steps can help mitigate risks.

1. When out in the evening, stick to well-lit paths and be aware of your surroundings, especially in quieter residential areas.
2. Anti-social behaviour can often be deterred by good environmental design; ensure your property's frontage is tidy and well-lit to discourage loitering.
3. Given that burglary is the third most common crime, always double-check that all doors, windows, and side gates are locked before leaving the house or going to bed.
4. If you have a bicycle, ensure it is secured with a high-quality D-lock, even when stored inside a shed or garage, as opportunistic theft can occur.
5. Participate in local community watch programs or stay connected via local social media groups to stay informed about any suspicious activity or rising trends in the Scholes area.

Crime in Scholes (Leeds) follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 41% of incidents. This is the time when residents are often commuting or starting their daily routines, leaving properties potentially vulnerable to opportunistic theft.

As the day progresses, the focus shifts heavily toward burglary. In the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), burglary accounts for 40% of crimes, remaining high at 39% in the evening (6pm - 12am). The risk peaks during the night (12am - 6am), where burglary makes up 49% of all recorded incidents. Vehicle crime also reaches its highest concentration during the night-time hours at 19%. This data indicates that while daytime theft is a factor, the most significant security threats to Scholes homes occur from the afternoon through to the early morning.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Scholes (Leeds) has a slightly higher crime rate at 45.7 per 1,000 people. Nearby Barwick in Elmet is the safest in the immediate vicinity with a rate of 28.2, while Thorner (38.0), Shadwell (36.5), and Scarcroft (41.0) also report lower crime levels. While Scholes remains very safe in a national context, it is currently experiencing more criminal activity than its surrounding villages. This makes it an important area for residents to focus on proactive home security and community-led safety initiatives to bring rates back in line with its neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 13.0 per 1,000 and a significant 35.1% increase in overall crime, homeowners in Scholes should consider the benefits of proactive security. Traditional systems like Ring or Nest are often reactive, providing you with a video of a burglary after it has already occurred. In an area seeing an upward trend in crime, prevention is far more valuable than a recording.

The scOS AI-powered security operating system is designed to intervene before a crime takes place. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter 24/7, identifying potential threats at the boundary. The system's advanced AI can distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine intruders, ensuring you only receive alerts that matter. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and speakers, destroying the element of surprise. For Scholes residents, this professional-grade protection offers a proactive way to safeguard their homes and families against the recent rise in local activity.