Rotherham Crime Rate

Rotherham currently records an overall crime rate of 104.9 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK national average of 91.6. Despite this, the borough maintains a respectable safety score of 75/100, placing it close to the UK average of 79/100 and indicating a generally positive perception of safety among the local population. Recent data shows that the crime trend is stable, with a minor 1.9% decrease in total incidents year-over-year. This suggests that Rotherham is a consistently managed urban environment. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics to help residents and businesses understand the safety landscape and maintain a secure community.

About Rotherham

Rotherham is a significant industrial and commercial town in South Yorkshire, with a landscape shaped by its heritage in steel production and coal mining. The local authority area includes a mix of densely populated urban centres, suburban residential estates, and more rural villages. The town centre serves as a major retail and employment hub, which naturally influences rates of shoplifting and public order offences.

Major transport links, including the M1 and M18 motorways, provide high connectivity but can also impact vehicle crime and transient criminal activity. Rotherham is home to several large industrial parks and the Advanced Manufacturing Park, which are key economic drivers. The town's diverse population and varying economic conditions across different wards contribute to a complex crime profile. While urban areas face typical city challenges like anti-social behaviour and violence, the borough also features many quiet, residential neighbourhoods. This blend of industrial, commercial, and residential activity defines the context for Rotherham's crime statistics and safety scores.

Crime in Rotherham

The crime profile in Rotherham is lead by violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and public order offences. Violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, accounting for 36.7% of total crime with 10,654 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a major concern, making up 16.8% of reports. Public order offences follow as the third most significant category, with 2,282 cases recorded annually.

Property crime in Rotherham—which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—occurs at a rate of 33.1 per 1,000 people. While violent crime and ASB are the top individual categories, the high volume of shoplifting (2,211 cases) and criminal damage (2,143 cases) indicates that property and business security are key priorities. For residents, the combined threat of vehicle crime (1,633 cases) and burglary (1,160 cases) highlights the importance of maintaining robust security measures to protect their homes and vehicles.

Crime Trends in Rotherham

The crime rate in Rotherham is currently stable, showing a minor year-over-year decrease of 1.9%. This indicates that the volume of criminal activity has remained relatively consistent over the past twelve months. Analysing the monthly trend data for 2025, the year began with rates of 7.5 in January and 7.1 in February. There was a steady increase through the spring and summer months, with the rate peaking at 10.0 in July.

Following the summer peak, the crime rate fluctuated slightly but remained elevated, with a rate of 9.3 in October before settling around 8.4 and 8.6 in the final months of the year. This pattern of higher crime during the summer months is common in most large towns. The overall 1.9% decrease is a positive sign of stability. For residents, this means that established safety habits remain relevant, and continued community vigilance is important to maintain this steady trend.

In the context of South Yorkshire, Rotherham (104.9 crimes per 1,000) is a key urban and industrial centre. While direct comparison data for nearby areas like Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Bolsover, and Bassetlaw shows 0.0 crimes in this specific period (likely due to reporting variations), Rotherham's figures are typical for a large town of its profile. As a regional hub, it attracts significant commercial and industrial activity, which naturally leads to higher reported incidents than in the more rural parts of the county. The borough's stable trend and safety score of 75/100 reflect its status as a resilient urban environment that balances its busy centres with many quiet residential areas.

With a property crime rate of 33.1 per 1,000 people in Rotherham, residents should consider the benefits of proactive security over traditional reactive systems. Most standard CCTV cameras and smart doorbells are designed to record footage of a crime after it has already happened. In an area where vehicle crime and shoplifting are significant factors, prevention is a far more valuable asset. The scOS AI-powered security system is designed to stop crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify suspicious activity—such as someone loitering near your car or side gate—and distinguish it from normal neighbourhood routines. When a genuine threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audible warnings. This immediate response destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on, often causing them to move on before any damage is done. For Rotherham homeowners, this shift from recording a crime to preventing it provides a significant security advantage.

How To Keep Safe in Rotherham

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crimes in Rotherham, making personal safety awareness a key priority for residents and visitors. While these statistics cover a wide range of incidents, taking sensible precautions can help you navigate the borough's urban and suburban spaces more safely.

To enhance your safety, it is advisable to plan your journeys and stick to well-lit, busy pedestrian routes, especially when walking at night in the town centre. Avoid being distracted by your phone or headphones, as staying aware of your surroundings is your first line of defence. If you are socialising, stay with friends and use reputable transport services to get home.

For those concerned about property crime, particularly vehicle crime which is a notable factor in Rotherham, ensuring that your car is parked in a secure, well-lit area and that no valuables are left on display can act as a significant deterrent. Always report suspicious behaviour to the local police, as community intelligence is vital for effective patrolling and crime prevention. By remaining vigilant and taking basic safety steps, you can significantly reduce your personal risk.