Thurston Crime Rate

Thurston is a growing settlement with an overall crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 93.1. The area currently holds a safety score of 78/100, aligning with the national average for safety. However, the local crime trend is increasing significantly, with a 35.2% rise in reported incidents year-over-year. This increase is particularly evident in the latter half of 2025, where monthly rates reached their highest levels. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types and timing in Thurston, offering residents and newcomers a clear view of the local safety environment.

Crime in Thurston

Violence and sexual offences are the most prominent crime type in Thurston, representing 53.6% of all reported incidents. Shoplifting (10.6%) and anti-social behaviour (5.7%) are also significant contributors to the local statistics. For residents and property owners, the overall property crime rate is 21.3 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, which accounts for 3.8% of crimes, and vehicle crime at 1.9%. While the overall crime rate is lower than the national average, the prevalence of shoplifting and other thefts suggests that both businesses and homeowners should remain vigilant. The high percentage of violence and sexual offences is a key metric for residents to monitor in terms of local safety.

The crime trend in Thurston is currently on a significant upward trajectory, with a 35.2% increase in total crimes year-over-year. A detailed look at the monthly data for 2024 and 2025 reveals a sharp escalation in activity during the second half of 2025. While the crime rate was relatively stable between 3.3 and 6.3 per 1,000 for much of the year, it surged to 8.4 in September and reached a peak of 11.7 in October 2025. This recent spike suggests that the area is experiencing a period of increased criminal activity. Residents should be aware of this trend, as it may indicate a rise in opportunistic crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour in the community.

How To Keep Safe in Thurston

The most common crime in Thurston is violence and sexual offences, accounting for over 53% of all reports. To enhance personal and community safety, residents should consider several proactive steps. First, stay vigilant when using public spaces or walking alone, particularly during the evening hours when 'other' crime types increase. Second, for local business owners and shoppers, being aware of shoplifting—the area's second highest crime—is important; reporting suspicious activity quickly can help deter repeat offenders. Third, since burglary and vehicle crime are most proportionally prevalent at night, ensure all vehicles are parked in well-lit areas and that home security systems are active. Finally, engaging with local neighbourhood watch programmes can provide an extra layer of community-led security. These measures, combined with awareness of the recent 35.2% increase in local crime, will help residents stay safe and secure.

Crime timing in Thurston shows distinct shifts in activity throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily weighted towards theft-related offences (including shoplifting), which account for 52% of reports in both timeframes. This likely correlates with the village's commercial and retail hours. As the day moves into the evening and night, the nature of crime changes significantly. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees burglary reach its highest proportional level at 34%, while vehicle crime also peaks at 24% of the period's reports. Evening hours (6pm - 12am) show a rise in 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which make up 39% of the reports. These patterns indicate that property and vehicle risks are highest during the hours of darkness.

Thurston is the most active hub for crime in its immediate local area. Its crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000 is considerably higher than nearby Great Barton (19.2) and Beyton (14.2). Furthermore, rural neighbours like Pakenham and Norton report 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people. This difference is largely due to Thurston's larger population and more developed commercial infrastructure, which naturally attracts more reports of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. For those looking at the region, Thurston offers more amenities but comes with a higher crime profile than the very quiet surrounding villages. It remains, however, safer than the UK national average.

With a property crime rate of 21.3 per 1,000 residents and a significant 35.2% increase in overall crime, Thurston homeowners are increasingly looking for effective ways to protect their properties. Traditional security systems like basic CCTV or DIY doorbell cameras often only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In an area where crime rates are rising, proactive protection is a much more effective strategy. scOS is an AI-powered security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS can detect a potential intruder at the property boundary. It uses autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible alerts—to destroy the element of surprise and deter criminals before they attempt a break-in. This proactive approach is particularly relevant given that burglary and vehicle crime in Thurston are most common during the night. By choosing an intelligent system that intervenes in real-time, you can ensure your home remains a hard target in a changing local environment.