North Kesteven Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in North Kesteven

North Kesteven presents a positive picture regarding crime statistics, with an overall crime rate of 50.4 crimes per 1,000 people per year. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 crimes per 1,000, indicating that North Kesteven is a considerably safer area. The district boasts an impressive safety score of 88 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average safety score of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in North Kesteven has remained stable, experiencing a slight decrease of 3.8% year-over-year. These statistics provide a foundational understanding of the local crime landscape, which will be explored in greater detail in the following sections.

About North Kesteven

North Kesteven is a largely rural district in Lincolnshire, characterised by its market towns, villages, and extensive agricultural land. This predominantly suburban and rural nature, coupled with a lower population density compared to more urban areas, contributes significantly to its favourable crime statistics. While the district benefits from strong community ties, its market towns like Sleaford serve as local commercial hubs, attracting some retail-related crime. Major transport links, including A-roads, connect North Kesteven to larger centres, which can sometimes influence transient crime patterns. The stable demographic profile and generally lower levels of economic deprivation compared to some urban counterparts also play a role in maintaining a lower overall crime rate and a high safety score, fostering a sense of community safety.

Crime Breakdown in North Kesteven

An analysis of crime types in North Kesteven reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 2382 crimes, or 38.6% of the total, at a rate of 19.4 per 1,000 people. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, with 1503 reported incidents, making up 24.3% of all crimes at 12.3 per 1,000. Shoplifting ranks as the third most frequent crime, with 435 occurrences, representing 7.0% of the total.

When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, North Kesteven recorded 13.5 crimes per 1,000 people per year. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, burglary stands at 1.7 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 1.5 per 1,000, and other theft at 2.8 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest a relatively lower risk of property-related offences compared to the national picture, though vigilance remains important, particularly concerning retail and vehicle security.

Crime Trends in North Kesteven

Over the past year, North Kesteven has experienced a stable crime trend, with a minor decrease of 3.8% in total crimes year-over-year. Examining the monthly trend data provides further insight into these patterns. The crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated throughout the period, starting at 4.4 in October 2024 and generally remaining below 5.0. There were slight dips in December 2024 and January 2025, both recording 3.8 crimes per 1,000, and a low of 3.5 in February 2025. The rates then saw a gradual increase through spring and summer, reaching peaks of 4.9 in July and August 2025, before settling at 4.0 in September 2025. This stable trend indicates that while there are monthly variations, the overall crime situation in North Kesteven has not seen significant shifts, offering residents a consistent level of safety.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide a broader regional context, North Kesteven's crime statistics can be compared with several neighbouring areas. Lincoln, a larger urban centre, typically experiences higher crime rates due to its population density and commercial activity. South Kesteven, a similarly rural district, often shows comparable or slightly higher rates depending on its urban pockets. Boston, known for its market town characteristics, generally faces higher crime challenges, particularly in categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Newark and Sherwood, situated to the west, presents a mixed urban-rural landscape, with crime rates often influenced by its larger towns. West Lindsey, another predominantly rural district, tends to exhibit similar low crime patterns to North Kesteven. East Lindsey, a coastal and rural area, can see crime influenced by seasonal tourism. Overall, North Kesteven consistently demonstrates a more favourable safety profile when viewed against its regional neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in North Kesteven

Given North Kesteven's comparatively low property crime rate of 13.5 per 1,000 people, residents may feel secure, but it's crucial to remember that no area is entirely crime-free. While traditional security systems often only record a burglary after it has happened, leading to footage rather than prevention, a proactive approach offers significantly more protection.

Consider advanced AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS, which are designed to prevent crime at your property boundary before an intruder even gains entry. Unlike reactive cameras, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all areas simultaneously, detecting threats in real-time. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles, and its pattern learning capabilities distinguish between genuine threats and everyday routines like family arrivals or deliveries. This allows for an autonomous response, where lights activate and speakers engage, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars decide to move on within 60 seconds if they encounter visible and active deterrence, making professional-grade equipment a powerful deterrent. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively stopping threats at your property line is another.