Kettering Crime Rate

The latest crime statistics for Kettering reveal an overall crime rate of 119.0 per 1,000 people for the period ending November 2025. This figure is notably higher than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a safety score of 72/100. Despite the elevated overall rate, Kettering's property crime rate of 29.9 per 1,000 is actually below the national average of 32.3. The trend in Kettering is currently stable, with a marginal 1.3% increase in total offences year-over-year. As a major urban centre in North Northamptonshire, Kettering experiences a high volume of violence, sexual offences, and anti-social behaviour, which are common in larger towns. This analysis provides a detailed breakdown of when and where these crimes occur to help residents and visitors stay safe.

In Kettering, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.6% of all reported incidents, equating to 44.7 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also highly prevalent, representing 21.9% of the total. Shoplifting is the third most common crime at 6.9%. When analysing property crime as a whole—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—the rate is 29.9 per 1,000 people. This is slightly lower than the UK average of 32.3, suggesting that Kettering is relatively safer for property owners than many other urban areas. However, with over 200 burglaries and 170 vehicle crimes reported annually, these issues remain a reality for local residents. The high frequency of violence and anti-social behaviour indicates that public safety and social order are the primary focuses for local law enforcement.

The crime trend in Kettering is currently stable, showing a marginal 1.3% increase in total offences year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals a distinct seasonal pattern. The crime rate per 1,000 residents began at 8.5 in December and rose steadily through the spring, reaching a peak of 12.0 in July 2025. Following this summer high, the rate saw a consistent decline, returning to 8.5 by November. This suggests that while Kettering experiences a significant surge in activity during the warmer months, the overall environment is not on a long-term upward trajectory. For residents, this stability is encouraging, though the summer peak serves as a reminder to increase personal and property security during the middle of the year.

How To Keep Safe in Kettering

The most common crime in Kettering is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 37% of all reports. While these incidents often occur in specific contexts, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings, especially in the town centre during evening hours.

When out in the afternoon, be mindful that theft and shoplifting are at their peak; keep your bags zipped and your phone out of sight in crowded areas. During the evening, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through parks or poorly lit residential alleys.

As vehicle crime and burglary are most frequent during the night (12am-6am), ensure your home is fully secured before going to bed. Always lock your car and avoid leaving any valuables inside, as even a small amount of change or a charging cable can attract an opportunistic thief.

For homeowners, the stable but high crime rate suggests that visible security measures are a wise investment. Consider installing smart lighting or an AI-powered security system that can provide real-time alerts of any suspicious activity on your property boundary.

In Kettering, crime distribution shifts markedly throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high proportion of theft-related offences, which account for 43% of crimes during this period. This trend peaks in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft and shoplifting rise to 46% of all reported activity. As the town moves into the evening (6pm-12am), the focus changes toward anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 57% of reports in that time frame. The night-time period (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile; while overall volume is lower, the proportion of vehicle crime spikes to 28%, and burglary reaches its highest relative frequency of the day at 21%. This data suggests that while commercial areas are most at risk during daylight hours, residential and vehicle security should be the priority for residents overnight.

Kettering serves as the primary urban hub in its immediate vicinity, and its crime rate of 119.0 per 1,000 people reflects this. This is significantly higher than the nearby town of Burton Latimer, which has a rate of 41.0, and the village of Broughton at 67.6. Smaller surrounding areas like Pytchley and Isham reported crime rates of 0.0 in this dataset. For those living in the region, Kettering is the area where personal and property security are most relevant, as it draws a much higher volume of reported activity than the quieter, more rural settlements nearby. Comparison shows that moving just a few miles outside of Kettering can result in a significantly lower statistical risk of encountering crime.

With nearly 30 property crimes per 1,000 people each year, Kettering residents face a persistent risk of burglary and theft. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or DIY alarms, are often reactive—they notify you after someone has already entered your property or provide footage for an insurance claim later. To truly protect a home in Kettering, proactive security is a far more effective approach. The scOS artificial intelligence system monitors your property 24/7 and identifies threats before they escalate. For example, it can detect an unknown person loitering near your vehicle or at your back door and autonomously trigger deterrents like security lights or audio warnings. This immediate response is crucial, as the data shows that burglary and vehicle crime in Kettering are most likely to occur during the night when you are asleep. By stopping a crime at the boundary, scOS prevents the loss and trauma associated with a break-in.