Swillington Crime Rate

Swillington presents a solid safety profile with an overall crime rate of 72.9 per 1,000 people, notably lower than the UK average of 91.6. This contributes to its safety score of 80/100, indicating it is safer than approximately 80% of UK areas. The crime trend in Swillington is currently stable, with a negligible 0.9% change year-over-year, suggesting a consistent security environment for its nearly 3,000 residents. While violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types, the area's property crime rate remains relatively low at 20.0 per 1,000. This data, covering January 2025 to December 2025, provides a comprehensive overview for those looking to understand the safety and security landscape of this Leeds settlement.

Crime Breakdown in Swillington

In Swillington, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crimes, making up 53.5% of the total (39.0 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by shoplifting at 11.2% and public order offences at 8.4%. The high proportion of violence and sexual offences is a significant factor in the local crime profile, though it is important to note that this category often includes a wide range of incident types.

Property crime in Swillington, which includes burglary, robbery, theft, criminal damage, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 20.0 per 1,000 people. While the burglary rate itself is relatively low at 2.7 per 1,000 (3.7% of total crime), other forms of theft and criminal damage contribute to the overall property crime figure. For homeowners, this suggests that while the risk of a break-in is lower than in many other areas, general property security and vigilance against shoplifting and public order issues in commercial areas are still relevant.

Crime Trends in Swillington

The crime rate in Swillington has remained remarkably stable over the past year, with a year-over-year change of just 0.9%. This suggests that the local security environment is consistent, without the volatile swings seen in some other urban areas. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the year began with a peak in January at 9.2 crimes per 1,000 people, followed by a gradual decline through the spring, reaching a low of 3.1 in May.

However, crime rates began to climb again in the latter half of the year, with a steady increase from July (5.1) through to December, which matched the January peak of 9.2. This "U-shaped" pattern suggests that crime in Swillington may be influenced by seasonal factors, with higher activity recorded during the winter months. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining robust security measures year-round, with particular attention during the darker months of the year when recorded incidents tend to rise.

How To Keep Safe in Swillington

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime types in Swillington. While these statistics can be broad, staying safe in the community involves a combination of personal awareness and proactive home security.

1. Be mindful of your surroundings when walking through the village, especially after dark, and try to stick to well-lit main roads.
2. Given that shoplifting is the second most common crime, local business owners should consider enhanced entrance security and staff training on loss prevention.
3. Ensure that all residential property boundaries are well-defined and well-lit, as clear visibility is a major deterrent for opportunistic offenders.
4. Keep all high-value items out of sight from ground-floor windows, and ensure that vehicles are never left with valuables inside, even for short periods.
5. Engage with local community safety groups or the Neighbourhood Watch to stay updated on any specific patterns of anti-social behaviour or public order issues in the area.

The timing of crime in Swillington shows distinct shifts throughout the day. In the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 46% of crimes in both periods. This aligns with typical business and retail hours, where shoplifting and other thefts are more likely to occur.

As evening approaches (6pm - 12am), the crime profile changes, with "other" crimes (including public order and anti-social behaviour) rising to 45%. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a significant shift toward property-focused offences; burglary accounts for 37% of crimes during these hours, and vehicle crime reaches its daily peak at 22%. This indicates that while daytime crime is largely commercial, the risks to residential properties and vehicles are highest during the late-night and early-morning hours.

In the context of its local neighbours, Swillington's crime rate of 72.9 per 1,000 people places it in a moderate position. It is safer than Allerton Bywater, which has a higher rate of 81.2, but it records more crime than Kippax (57.1), Mickletown (53.4), and Garforth (65.2). This regional comparison shows that while Swillington is well below the national average, there are even safer options nearby. However, for those working or living in the area, Swillington remains a secure urban settlement with a stable trend and a safety score that outpaces the UK average.

With a property crime rate of 20.0 per 1,000 residents, Swillington homeowners should consider moving beyond reactive security. Traditional CCTV systems are often limited to recording events as they happen, which frequently results in footage of a crime but fails to prevent it. In a community where burglary and theft are present, proactive prevention is the most effective strategy.

The scOS AI-powered security operating system is designed to stop crime before it reaches your door. By utilising multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your entire property boundary simultaneously, identifying potential threats in real-time. The system's ability to learn routines and recognise familiar faces means you won't be bothered by false alerts. If an unauthorised person is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents such as high-intensity lighting and audio warnings. This immediate response destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on, often causing them to abandon their attempt before any damage is done. For Swillington residents, this proactive approach offers a significant upgrade over standard DIY security kits.