Castor and Ailsworth Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Castor and Ailsworth BUA

The Built-Up Area (BUA) of Castor and Ailsworth reports an overall crime rate of 70.5 per 1,000 people per year, which is lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. With an excellent safety score of 84 out of 100, this area is considered safer than the national average of 78/100. Over the past year, crime in Castor and Ailsworth has seen a significant increase of 33.7% year-on-year. This introduction provides a concise overview of the local crime landscape before a more detailed analysis.

Crime Type Analysis in Castor and Ailsworth BUA

In Castor and Ailsworth BUA, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 33.6% of all reported crimes with 44 incidents, at a rate of 23.7 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 30 incidents (22.9% of the total), equating to 16.1 per 1,000 residents. Public order offences rank as the third most frequent, with 16 cases, representing 12.2% of total crime and a rate of 8.6 per 1,000.

The property-related crime rate in Castor and Ailsworth BUA, encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 19.9 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific figures include criminal damage and arson at 6.5 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 5.4 per 1,000, other theft at 4.3 per 1,000, and burglary at 2.7 per 1,000. These statistics highlight a very low incidence of property crime, but residents are still encouraged to maintain diligent security measures to protect their homes and belongings.

Crime Trends in Castor and Ailsworth BUA

Castor and Ailsworth BUA has experienced a significant increasing crime trend over the last year, with a year-over-year rise of 33.7%. Monthly data provides a clearer picture of these fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents saw considerable variation, with a low of 0.5 in January 2025. However, it also experienced spikes, notably reaching 9.1 in February 2025 and 10.8 in September 2025. This substantial increase, despite the overall low crime rate, suggests a need for residents to be aware of changing local patterns. Understanding these trends can help inform personal safety and property protection strategies.

Understanding Time-Based Crime Patterns in Castor and Ailsworth BUA

Crime patterns in Castor and Ailsworth BUA show distinct variations throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by higher rates of theft (33%), vehicle crime (25%), and burglary (11%). This suggests opportunistic crimes targeting commuters and properties. In the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft increases further to 40%, and burglary peaks at 21%, likely due to homes being left unattended. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see 'Other' crimes become most prominent at 46%, alongside vehicle crime at 25% and burglary at 16%. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime reaches its highest at 51%, with burglary at 16%, indicating a focus on properties and vehicles under the cover of darkness. These insights help residents understand when specific crime types are more prevalent.

Crime in Nearby Areas to Castor and Ailsworth BUA

Comparing Castor and Ailsworth BUA to its neighbouring settlements provides valuable regional context. With an overall crime rate of 70.5 per 1,000, Castor and Ailsworth is considerably safer than the larger Peterborough Built-Up Area and generally comparable to or safer than nearby villages like Wansford, Yarwell, and Elton (Huntingdonshire). Its relatively low crime figures are often indicative of its smaller, more rural character. This regional perspective helps residents understand Castor and Ailsworth BUA's position as a relatively safe community within the wider local authority, highlighting its unique safety profile compared to its diverse neighbours.

Property Protection in Castor and Ailsworth BUA

Given Castor and Ailsworth BUA's low property crime rate of 19.9 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average, residents benefit from a relatively secure environment. However, maintaining vigilance and effective security measures remains important. Traditional security cameras often serve as reactive recording devices, capturing footage after a crime has occurred rather than preventing it. For those who seek to proactively deter and prevent crime, advanced AI-powered solutions like scOS offer a compelling alternative.

scOS employs multi-camera intelligence to detect potential threats at the property boundary, learning daily routines to filter out false alarms and identify genuine intruders. It can also perform DVLA vehicle verification, instantly flagging suspicious vehicles. The core principle is prevention: most burglars decide within 60 seconds whether a property is too much effort. A visible, professional-grade system with autonomous responses, such as activating lights and engaging speakers, can disrupt an intruder's plan and make them move on. Choosing security that actively intervenes rather than merely records provides enhanced peace of mind for homeowners in Castor and Ailsworth BUA.