Rural Richmond upon Thames Crime Rate

Rural Richmond upon Thames is a highly secure area with an overall crime rate of 66.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, earning the area an excellent safety score of 85/100. The crime trend is currently decreasing, with a notable year-over-year reduction of 14.1%, indicating a strong positive shift in local safety. Known for its quieter, more residential character compared to the borough's urban centres, Rural Richmond upon Thames offers a very stable and low-risk environment. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the specific crime types reported and the temporal patterns observed in the area between January and December 2025.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Richmond upon Thames

Rural Richmond upon Thames is a safe area where violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 24.7% of all reported incidents. This equates to 16.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 20.8%, followed by public order offences at 10.8%. These figures reflect a relatively low-crime environment where social conduct and personal safety are the primary focuses of local police activity.

The property crime rate in Rural Richmond upon Thames is 25.2 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. This rate is notably lower than the UK average of 32.2, making it a secure location for homeowners. However, burglary is a significant factor, representing 10.0% of all crime, which is higher than in the more urban parts of the borough. Vehicle crime also contributes 7.8% to the total. For residents, these statistics indicate that while the area is safe overall, home security remains a key priority to protect against the specific risk of burglary in this more rural setting.

Crime Trends in Rural Richmond upon Thames

Total crime in Rural Richmond upon Thames has decreased by a significant 14.1% year-over-year. This is an exceptionally positive trend, indicating that the area is becoming even safer over time.

The monthly trend data for 2025 shows some variability throughout the year. The safest months were January, February, and April, with rates ranging from 3.2 to 3.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. In contrast, May 2025 saw a major spike, with the rate jumping to 8.1, followed by July and October at 7.5. These fluctuations suggest that crime in Rural Richmond upon Thames is somewhat seasonal, with higher activity in the spring and autumn months. For residents, the overall downward trend and the relatively low volume of crime across the entire year are highly encouraging indicators of local safety.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Richmond upon Thames

The most common crime in Rural Richmond upon Thames is violence and sexual offences. While the area is safe, staying aware of your surroundings is the most effective way to maintain personal safety in any residential environment.

1. When walking in quieter parts of the area, especially after dark, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated footpaths or unlit lanes.
2. Be a proactive neighbour; staying in touch with those nearby and participating in local community groups can help identify and deter unusual activity quickly.
3. Keep personal items like mobile phones and wallets secure and out of sight when in public spaces to avoid attracting opportunistic attention.
4. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit at night; motion-activated lighting is an effective and simple way to discourage loitating near your property.
5. If you notice any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour, report it to the local authorities to help them monitor and address any emerging patterns in the area.
6. Sharing your live location with a trusted friend or family member when travelling home late at night can provide an extra layer of safety.

Temporal patterns in Rural Richmond upon Thames show that theft is the most frequent crime during daylight hours, accounting for 36% of incidents in the morning (6am to 12pm) and 32% in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm). This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when the area is most active. As the day ends, the focus shifts; evening hours (6pm to 12am) see a significant rise in "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which make up 35% of reports. During the night (12am to 6am), vehicle crime and burglary become the dominant concerns, accounting for 40% and 34% of all incidents respectively. Burglary risk is also very high in the afternoon (36%), indicating that home security is a priority throughout the day and into the late-night hours.

Rural Richmond upon Thames is part of one of the safest local authorities in London. When compared to the more urbanised town centres in the borough, it offers a quieter and more secure environment. While it has more reported activity than the most rural hamlets in outer Essex or Surrey, it remains a benchmark for safety within the Greater London area. Its combination of residential stability and low overall crime volume makes it a highly desirable location for those seeking a safe home with easy access to the capital. For residents, Rural Richmond upon Thames provides a safety profile that is consistently better than the national average, offering peace of mind in a beautiful setting.

With a property crime rate of 25.2 per 1,000 people, Rural Richmond upon Thames is a safe area, but the fact that burglary accounts for 10.0% of all incidents is a clear signal for homeowners to take security seriously. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing footage of a burglary only after it has occurred. For residents who want to truly protect their property, scOS offers a proactive, AI-powered security operating system. By monitoring property boundaries with multi-camera intelligence, scOS identifies threats before they reach your home. It can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating lights or speakers, to deter potential intruders in real-time. This is particularly effective in Rural Richmond upon Thames, where burglary risks are highest during the afternoon and night. A visible and proactive system like scOS ensures your home is a "hard target," encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on and preserving the peace of your home. Professional-grade equipment managed by scOS signals that your property is not an easy target, ensuring that the area’s high safety standards are maintained for your household.