Skipton Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Skipton, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 79.7 per 1,000 residents. This is slightly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a generally safer environment than many other areas of the country. While the safety score is 82/100, indicating a perception of safety among residents, certain crime types warrant attention. The most frequent reported crimes include violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting, reflecting common challenges faced by many market towns. Overall, crime rates have remained stable, demonstrating a -1.8% year-on-year change.

The crime landscape in Skipton is shaped by its blend of a historic market town and a popular tourist destination. The presence of a significant number of businesses, coupled with a relatively high population density for a rural area, can contribute to certain types of crime. The town's popularity as a visitor destination also means that shoplifting and public order offences are unfortunately common. Furthermore, Skipton’s location and the surrounding rural areas present challenges regarding vehicle crime and burglary, as opportunistic criminals may travel to the area. Demographic factors, such as the age distribution and socioeconomic characteristics of the population, also play a role in shaping the types of crimes observed. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for developing targeted crime prevention strategies.

Crime rates in Skipton have demonstrated stability, with a decrease of -1.8% year-on-year. Examining monthly data from January 2025 to December 2025 reveals fluctuations. January and February saw relatively low crime rates (5.5 and 5.4 per 1,000 respectively). A spike was observed in March (7.3 per 1,000), followed by a period of stability in April and May (6.9 per 1,000). June saw a slight dip (6.0 per 1,000), and rates increased again in October (7.5 per 1,000) and November (7.8 per 1,000), before settling down in December (6.1 per 1,000). This pattern suggests seasonal influences and potential variations in policing strategies.

How To Keep Safe in Skipton

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be mindful of your surroundings, particularly at night. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas and consider using well-populated routes. Due to the higher incidence of anti-social behaviour, be aware of your belongings in public spaces and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Shoplifting is also a concern; ensure your valuables are secure when visiting local businesses. Finally, secure your vehicle properly to minimise the risk of vehicle crime, and consider installing an alarm system.

Crime in Skipton exhibits a pattern influenced by the time of day and week. Burglary incidents are most common in the afternoon, followed by the evening. Theft is frequently observed during commercial hours, reflecting opportunities within retail settings. Vehicle crime is notably higher during the night, suggesting opportunistic targeting of parked vehicles. Violence tends to spike during the evening and night, especially on weekends, highlighting the need for increased vigilance during these periods.

Compared to surrounding areas, Skipton’s crime rate demonstrates varying trends. Carleton-in-Craven has a significantly lower rate of 27.5 per 1,000, indicating a more peaceful environment. In contrast, Low Bradley reports a higher rate of 41.0 per 1,000, suggesting increased crime concerns in that area. Embsay (19.8 per 1,000) and Cononley (22.5 per 1,000) also exhibit lower rates compared to Skipton, highlighting the diverse safety profiles of the Craven district.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide footage after a crime has occurred. However, the scOS system takes a proactive approach. Imagine scOS detecting an unfamiliar vehicle approaching your property boundary. It instantly verifies the vehicle’s registration against the DVLA database and, if it's unregistered or flagged, alerts you in real-time. This is a stark contrast to a traditional system that only records the footage of a potential burglary. The visible presence of scOS – the cameras, the perimeter monitoring – acts as a powerful deterrent. Most burglars operate within a 60-second window; scOS makes that decision far more difficult for them, often prompting them to move on. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually preventing threats at your property line is another.