Churchstoke Crime Rate

Churchstoke is one of the safest urban settlements in Powys, boasting an impressive safety score of 92/100. The area's overall crime rate is 35.1 per 1,000 people, which is remarkably low compared to the UK average of 91.6. While the local crime trend shows a 14.8% increase over the last year, Churchstoke remains a high-security environment for its 1,764 residents. This analysis, based on data from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, highlights that while crime is on a slight upward trajectory, the actual volume of incidents remains very low, providing peace of mind for those living in and moving to the area.

In Churchstoke, violence and sexual offences are the primary concern, with 23 recorded incidents making up 37.1% of all local crime. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 16.1% and other theft at 12.9%. These figures indicate that while Churchstoke is generally very safe, personal safety and property integrity are the main areas of police focus.

The overall property crime rate in Churchstoke—which includes burglary, theft, and criminal damage—is 13.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2. Burglary specifically accounts for 9.7% of total crime, with a rate of 3.4 per 1,000. For residents, this means the risk of property-related offences is low, but the prevalence of criminal damage and 'other theft' suggests that opportunistic crime remains a factor that homeowners should address with sensible security measures.

Churchstoke has experienced a 14.8% increase in crime year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows a relatively quiet start to the year, with rates holding steady at 1.7 per 1,000 from January through March. A slight increase occurred in April and May (2.3), followed by a significant surge in the summer months.

June and August saw rates of 4.5, while July recorded the year's peak at 5.1. The latter part of the year remained higher than the beginning, with December ending at 3.4. This summer peak suggests that warmer months may see more activity in the area, perhaps due to increased visitors or more people being away from their homes. Despite the increase, the overall crime rate remains very low, and the trend suggests a manageable shift rather than a major decline in safety.

How To Keep Safe in Churchstoke

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type in Churchstoke, making up 37% of the total. While the area is very safe, it is always wise to practice good personal safety. This includes staying in well-lit areas when walking at night and being mindful of your surroundings in public spaces.

With criminal damage and 'other theft' also being top concerns, homeowners should focus on securing the exterior of their properties. Ensure that garden gates are locked and that valuable items like bicycles or garden machinery are not left out in plain sight. Since burglary risk is highest during the night (42% of night-time crime), double-checking that all doors and windows are locked before bed is a simple but effective habit. Additionally, joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the Churchstoke area. Community awareness is often the best defence in low-crime areas, as unusual activity is more easily spotted.

The patterns of crime in Churchstoke shift noticeably through the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the dominant issue, accounting for 51% and 49% of all reported crimes respectively. This suggests that daytime offences are often opportunistic, targeting property while residents may be away or businesses are active.

As evening approaches, the risk profile changes. Burglary, which makes up 18% of morning crime, rises to 28% in the evening and reaches a significant peak of 42% during the night (12am to 6am). This indicates that residential properties are most vulnerable during the late-night hours. Vehicle crime is recorded as zero in the provided breakdown, meaning property crime in Churchstoke is almost entirely focused on buildings and personal belongings. The 'other' category, including anti-social behaviour, is most prevalent in the evening and night, making up roughly half of all reports in those periods.

Churchstoke is part of a cluster of safe communities along the Powys-Shropshire border. It is notably safer than nearby Montgomery (49.8 per 1,000) and Bishop's Castle (64.8). Its crime rate is very similar to Forden (33.2), though it is more active than Berriew, which recorded no crimes at all. For residents in this region, Churchstoke represents a very secure option, offering a much lower crime environment than the larger market towns nearby while providing more amenities than the smallest rural hamlets.

Churchstoke's property crime rate of 13.6 per 1,000 people is very low, but the 14.8% increase in overall crime suggests a need for modern security. Burglary accounts for nearly 10% of local crime, and the risk peaks significantly at night. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive—they record someone on your property but often only alert you once the event is underway.

For Churchstoke homeowners, scOS provides a proactive leap forward. As an AI-powered security operating system, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS doesn't just record; it acts autonomously by engaging lights or speakers to deter the threat before a break-in occurs. This type of prevention is essential when burglary risk jumps to 42% during the night-time hours, ensuring your home stays protected while you sleep.