Shepton Mallet Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet, a built-up area within Mendip with a population of 10,565, records an overall crime rate of 86.5 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure places Shepton Mallet below the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The area has a safety score of 77 out of 100, which is just below the national average of 78. Over the past year, Shepton Mallet has experienced a stable crime trend, showing a slight increase of 1.4% year-over-year. These statistics provide a clear overview of the current crime landscape in Shepton Mallet, setting the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types and temporal patterns.

Crime Type Breakdown in Shepton Mallet

In Shepton Mallet, Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 451 crimes or 49.3% of the total, at a rate of 42.7 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour, with 115 reported incidents (12.6% of total, 10.9 per 1,000), and Public order offences, totalling 84 crimes (9.2% of total, 8.0 per 1,000). These three categories represent the most prevalent issues in the area.

Property-related crime in Shepton Mallet, encompassing burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 19.7 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific figures include burglary at 1.8 per 1,000 (19 crimes), vehicle crime at 2.0 per 1,000 (21 crimes), and other theft at 3.8 per 1,000 (40 crimes). Criminal damage and arson contributes 5.7 per 1,000 (60 crimes), and shoplifting is 4.8 per 1,000 (51 crimes). For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest a lower risk of property crime compared to the national average, providing a relatively secure environment. However, continued vigilance, especially concerning violence and anti-social behaviour, is always prudent.

Crime Trends in Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a minor increase of 1.4% year-over-year. This indicates that the overall crime situation has remained largely consistent, with a slight upward pressure. Analysing the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents reveals some fluctuations. The rate was 7.7 in October 2024, peaked at 9.0 in November 2024, and then saw a dip to 5.1 in February 2025. There was a noticeable increase to 8.1 in August 2025 before settling at 7.8 in September 2025. These monthly variations could be influenced by seasonal factors or specific local events. For residents, this stable yet slightly increasing trend suggests the need for ongoing awareness, although the overall picture remains relatively consistent with the previous year.

Crime Time Patterns in Shepton Mallet

An examination of crime patterns throughout the day in Shepton Mallet reveals distinct concentrations. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for 42% of crimes, alongside 9% for burglary. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees theft peak at 45% and burglary at 15%, likely coinciding with increased commercial activity and unattended properties. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), other crime categories become more dominant at 62%, while theft reduces to 17% and burglary to 13%. Night-time (12am-6am) shows a shift, with "other" crimes remaining high at 45%, vehicle crime increasing to 27%, and burglary at 18%, reflecting vulnerability during overnight hours. This temporal distribution highlights the importance of adapting security measures to specific times of day.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Shepton Mallet to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional safety context emerges. Shepton Mallet's overall crime rate of 86.5 per 1,000 and safety score of 77 are generally consistent with similar communities. For instance, smaller, more rural areas like Croscombe and Pilton typically exhibit lower crime rates due to their smaller populations. Oakhill, another close community, would likely share similar characteristics to its direct neighbours. Evercreech, however, presents a contrasting picture with a significantly lower crime rate of 49.8 per 1,000 and a higher safety score of 88, indicating a much safer environment. These comparisons illustrate that while Shepton Mallet maintains a relatively good safety profile, some surrounding areas offer even lower crime rates, providing valuable context for residents and those considering moving to the region.

Protecting Your Property in Shepton Mallet

Shepton Mallet's property crime rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably below the UK average, offers a degree of reassurance to homeowners. However, vigilance and robust security measures remain crucial. Traditional security solutions, such as basic CCTV, typically only capture footage after a burglary has occurred, acting as a reactive recording tool rather than a preventative measure. For those seeking genuine peace of mind and effective deterrence, considering advanced security options is a wise choice.

AI-powered home security operating systems, like scOS, are designed to prevent crime before it happens. By identifying potential threats at your property's perimeter, these systems can intervene in real-time, thwarting intruders before they can cause damage or gain entry. This proactive approach contrasts sharply with reactive systems that merely alert you once an incident is in progress. With most burglars making a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property, a professional-grade and visibly deterrent security system can significantly influence them to move on.

Features such as multi-camera intelligence, which monitors all cameras simultaneously, and DVLA vehicle verification, which can identify suspicious vehicles with fake plates, offer comprehensive protection. Intelligent pattern learning helps the system distinguish between normal routines and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. An autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, can effectively eliminate the element of surprise for an intruder. By investing in such proactive security, you can further enhance the safety of your Shepton Mallet home.