Cowling Crime Rate

Cowling, within the Craven district, has a recorded crime rate of 34.9 per 1,000 residents over the period of January 2025 to December 2025. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, placing Cowling in a relatively safer position compared to the national picture. Despite this, it’s important to remain vigilant and understand the specific types of crimes affecting the area. The safety score for Cowling stands at a commendable 91 out of 100, further reinforcing its perceived safety. While this represents a positive indicator, ongoing monitoring and community engagement remain crucial for maintaining this level of security.

The crime landscape in Cowling is shaped by its close-knit community and rural location, coupled with its proximity to larger towns. Analysis of crime data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.8% of reported incidents. Burglary and anti-social behaviour are also significant contributors, each representing 12.6% of crimes. Vehicle crime, with 10.3%, highlights a potential issue with opportunistic theft. Overall property crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and criminal damage, stands at a rate of 12.4 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the need for preventative measures within the area. Understanding these patterns is crucial for tailoring safety strategies and addressing specific vulnerabilities within the community. The relatively low population of Cowling (2,494) means that even a small number of incidents can disproportionately affect crime rates.

Crime rates in Cowling have shown a notable decrease of -11.2% year-on-year. This positive trend is reflected in the monthly data, which reveals a significant drop in incidents. For example, January 2025 saw a monthly crime rate of 2.4 per 1,000, which decreased to 1.6 per 1,000 in February. While fluctuations occur throughout the year, such as a rise to 4.0 per 1,000 in May and a peak of 4.4 per 1,000 in August, the overall trend remains downward. The final month of December 2025 saw a return to a low of 1.6 per 1,000, demonstrating a sustained improvement in safety within the area.

How To Keep Safe in Cowling

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings, particularly during evening hours. Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re home, to deter burglaries. Consider joining or forming a neighbourhood watch scheme to foster community vigilance and share information. Secure your vehicles by parking in well-lit areas and ensuring valuables are out of sight. Finally, report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. By taking these simple steps, you can contribute to a safer Cowling.

Crime in Cowling tends to follow a pattern where burglaries are most frequently reported during the afternoon hours (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 43% of incidents. Vehicle crime is more prevalent overnight (12am - 6am), representing 51% of such incidents. Theft sees a higher incidence during commercial hours in the morning and afternoon, while violence peaks in the evening hours (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekend nights. These patterns underscore the importance of heightened vigilance during these specific times.

When comparing Cowling to its neighbours, the crime rate varies considerably. Sutton-in-Craven, with a rate of 41.6 per 1,000, experiences slightly higher crime levels, while Cross Hills reports 46.1 per 1,000. Cononley demonstrates a significantly lower rate at 22.5 per 1,000, and Farnhill has virtually no reported crime (0.0 per 1,000). These comparisons highlight the localised nature of crime and the importance of understanding specific area characteristics.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide a record of a crime after it has occurred. However, systems like scOS offer a proactive approach to home security. scOS uses AI to detect potential threats at your property boundary, watching all cameras simultaneously and instantly verifying vehicle registrations against the DVLA database. It learns your routines and recognises family members, so only genuine threats trigger an alert. For example, if an unfamiliar vehicle repeatedly circles your property, scOS will proactively alert you, potentially deterring a burglary before it begins. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another. The right security system, like scOS, makes that 60-second decision easy – they move on.