Clay Cross Crime Rate

Clay Cross, an urban settlement in North East Derbyshire, has an overall crime rate of 106.3 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK national average of 93.1. Despite this, the town maintains a respectable safety score of 74/100. The crime trend is currently classified as stable, with a negligible 1.0% decrease over the past year. This consistency provides a predictable environment for residents, though the elevated crime rate compared to the national average suggests that security awareness is important. Understanding the local crime landscape, from high-frequency social offences to lower-frequency property crimes, is key to staying safe in Clay Cross.

Crime Breakdown in Clay Cross

Clay Cross experiences a crime rate of 106.3 per 1,000 residents, with violence and sexual offences being the most significant contributor, accounting for 44.4% of all reported crimes (47.2 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour is also a notable concern at 18.9%, followed by public order offences at 7.5%. These categories represent the majority of police activity in the area and impact the general sense of public safety.

Property-related crime is a persistent factor for local homeowners and businesses, with a combined rate of 26.6 per 1,000 residents. This includes criminal damage and arson (7.0%), shoplifting (6.8%), and other theft (6.8%). Burglary accounts for 2.3% of the total, while vehicle crime makes up 1.8%. For residents, this breakdown highlights that while violent crime is the primary statistical driver, property protection remains a vital necessity to prevent opportunistic theft and vandalism, which occur regularly across the settlement.

Crime Trends in Clay Cross

The crime trend in Clay Cross is currently stable, with a minor 1.0% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. However, monthly data reveals significant volatility. The crime rate per 1,000 residents surged to a peak of 13.2 in July 2025, a substantial increase from the 5.9 and 6.0 rates seen in the winter months of early 2025. Following this summer peak, the rate has remained elevated, ending the period at 11.2 in October 2025. This suggests that while the year-on-year change is flat, there has been an upward shift in activity during the latter half of the year. Residents should remain vigilant, as the most recent months show higher crime levels than the same period in the previous year.

How To Keep Safe in Clay Cross

The highest crime type in Clay Cross is violence and sexual offences. While many incidents are not random, maintaining personal safety in public is essential.

1. Be Mindful in Crowded Areas: With violence and public order offences being common, stay alert in busy town centre areas, especially during weekend evenings when social activity is highest.
2. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common issue. Reporting persistent problems to the local council or police helps target patrols and improve neighbourhood safety.
3. Secure Your Vehicles Overnight: Vehicle crime peaks at night in Clay Cross. Always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any valuables, even hidden ones, inside the cabin.
4. Improve Home Visibility: Ensure the front of your property is well-lit and clear of high hedges. Burglars and vandals are less likely to target homes where they can be easily seen by neighbours.
5. Travel in Groups at Night: When walking home after dark, try to stay with others and stick to well-lit main roads rather than taking shortcuts through unlit alleys or parks.

Clay Cross shows a clear link between time and crime type. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences dominate, accounting for 55% and 58% of reports respectively. This is largely driven by shoplifting and commercial thefts during business hours. As night falls, the risk profile changes; the period between 12am and 6am sees the highest percentage of burglaries (19%) and vehicle crimes (25%). While overall crime volume is lower at night, these property-focused offences are more likely to occur when residents are asleep and streets are quiet, highlighting the need for robust overnight home and vehicle security.

Clay Cross serves as a primary urban centre, and its crime rate of 106.3 per 1,000 residents reflects this status when compared to its neighbours. Nearby Old Tupton (87.4) and Mickley (78.8) both have lower crime rates, while Pilsley and Lower Pilsley are significantly quieter at 53.0 per 1,000. Stretton stands out with a crime rate of 0.0, highlighting the difference between Clay Cross's commercial activity and the surrounding rural localities. For those looking at the region, Clay Cross offers more amenities but also carries the higher crime profile typical of a busier settlement.

With a property crime rate of 26.6 per 1,000 residents, Clay Cross homeowners face a moderate risk of opportunistic theft and vandalism. Traditional security systems, such as standard alarms or recording-only CCTV, often fail because they only notify you after a crime has already been committed. In an area like Clay Cross, where 25% of vehicle crime happens in the dead of night, you need a system that acts before the damage is done.

scOS provides this proactive protection through AI multi-camera intelligence. It doesn't just record; it detects threats at your property boundary and can autonomously engage speakers or lights to deter an intruder. This "boundary-first" approach is designed to stop criminals in the 60 seconds it takes them to decide whether to target a home. For Clay Cross residents, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to secure their property.