Sway Crime Rate

Sway Crime Statistics

Sway is a safe urban settlement, with an overall crime rate of 71.2 per 1,000 residents per year. This is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a strong safety score of 86/100. This score is well above the UK average of 78, making Sway a secure place to live and work. However, the crime trend in Sway is currently increasing significantly, with a 28.0% rise in total offences over the past year. With a property crime rate of 35.0, the area offers a level of protection that is typical for a secure residential village. The detailed data below provides further insight into local crime types and their timing.

Crime Breakdown in Sway

Crime in Sway is primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which account for 20.3% of all reported incidents (26 cases). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 18.8%, followed closely by criminal damage and arson at 18.0%. This profile indicates that social-conduct issues and personal safety are the main concerns for residents, rather than high-volume theft.

Property crime as a whole, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 35.0 per 1,000 residents. This is slightly higher than the UK national average of 32.9. Within this category, Sway saw 11 burglaries and 11 vehicle crimes over the past year. While absolute numbers are low due to the small population, the property crime rate suggests that assets are at a tangible risk. The prevalence of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour further points to a need for robust security measures in residential areas to deter opportunistic offenders and maintain community order.

Sway Crime Trends

The crime trend in Sway is currently increasing significantly, with a 28.0% rise in total offences over the past year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate peaked dramatically in November 2024 at 15.6 per 1,000 residents and again in January 2025 at 11.7. Since these peaks, the rate has generally declined, settling at a very low 2.2 in October 2025. This overall upward trajectory for the year is largely due to the high activity in late 2024 and early 2025, while recent months suggest a return to more typical, lower crime levels for the village.

How To Keep Safe in Sway

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Sway, so personal safety awareness is a key priority. When walking in the village at night, especially after visiting local pubs or restaurants, try to stay on well-lit streets and avoid isolated shortcuts. If you are out alone, letting a friend or family member know your plans is always a good idea. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are also notable in the local stats; reporting any such incidents to the police helps them manage the community environment effectively. For homeowners, the presence of burglary is a concern, so it's important to ensure all doors and windows are securely locked. Always keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle and ensure it is locked, as this reduces the risk of opportunistic vehicle crime, which accounts for a high percentage of night-time activity. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also help you stay informed and connected with your neighbours.

Sway Crime Time Patterns

Crime in Sway follows a distinct temporal pattern throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is a notable issue, accounting for 24% and 26% of incidents respectively. This is typical for residential areas during the day. As the day moves into the evening and night, 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—spike significantly, making up 54% of evening reports and 36% of night-time reports. Burglary remains a consistent threat throughout the day, peaking at 28% of reports during the afternoon and 23% at night. Vehicle crime also sees its highest relative frequency at night, rising significantly to 37% of all reports between 12am and 6am. This suggests that while theft is a daytime concern, properties and vehicles are most at risk under the cover of darkness.

Local Context: Comparing Sway

When compared to the surrounding areas, Sway (71.2) is more active than nearby residential spots. While highly rural, zero-crime areas like Tiptoe, Mount Pleasant, Wootton, and Sandy Down are even more secure, Sway offers a good standard of safety for a village of its size and popularity. Its crime profile is more active than its smaller neighbours, but it remains safer than many larger urban hubs in the region, providing a balance of rural charm and a secure environment for its residents. For a village that is a popular base for forest visitors, Sway performs well in maintaining a safe community.

Protecting Your Sway Property

With a property crime rate of 35.0 per 1,000 people—slightly higher than the national average—Sway residents face a tangible risk of burglary and theft. Traditional security measures like basic CCTV cameras are often reactive—they record the event but rarely prevent it. In an area where safety is generally good, a proactive security system can be the difference between being a victim and deterring a criminal.

Modern AI-powered systems like scOS provide this proactive protection by monitoring your property boundaries in real-time. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify potential threats before they reach your home. Instead of just providing footage after a break-in, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting and audio warnings the moment an intruder is detected. This is particularly effective in Sway, where the 60-second window a burglar uses to assess a property can be disrupted, causing them to move on. Professional-grade protection like scOS ensures your home remains as safe as the local statistics suggest.