Rotherham Crime Rate

About Rotherham Crime Statistics

Rotherham reports an overall crime rate of 104.8 per 1,000 residents, positioning it slightly above the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area achieves a safety score of 75 out of 100, which is comparable to the UK average of 78. Property crime in Rotherham stands at 33.2 per 1,000 people, aligning with the national average. Over the past year, the crime rate in Rotherham has remained stable, experiencing a minor decrease of 0.6%. This overview provides a foundational understanding of the crime landscape in Rotherham, with further detailed analysis to follow.

What Contributes to Rotherham's Crime Statistics?

Rotherham is a large metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, encompassing both urban and more rural characteristics. Its diverse nature, including a significant town centre with commercial and retail hubs, contributes to the varying crime statistics. The presence of major transport links, such as the M1 motorway and extensive rail networks, can also influence crime patterns by facilitating movement into and out of the area. Demographic factors, including population density within urban centres and the presence of transient populations, can play a role in the types and frequency of reported incidents. Economic factors, such as employment rates and deprivation levels in certain areas, may also have an impact on crime rates, particularly for offences like theft and anti-social behaviour. Understanding these multifaceted characteristics helps to contextualise Rotherham's crime rate and safety score.

Crime Breakdown in Rotherham

The most prevalent crime type in Rotherham is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.3% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 38.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.0% (17.8 per 1,000) and public order offences at 7.8% (8.2 per 1,000). These three categories collectively represent a significant proportion of criminal activity in the area.

In terms of property-related crime, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Rotherham records a rate of 33.2 per 1,000 people. This figure is consistent with the UK average, suggesting that residents and homeowners face similar property crime risks as those across the country. Specific property crime categories include criminal damage and arson (8.0 per 1,000), vehicle crime (6.0 per 1,000), other theft (5.7 per 1,000), and burglary (4.6 per 1,000). For residents, this breakdown highlights the importance of securing homes and vehicles, as these types of offences contribute notably to the overall crime picture.

Crime Trends in Rotherham

Over the past year, Rotherham has experienced a stable crime trend, with a slight decrease of 0.6% in the total number of crimes reported year-over-year. Analysing the monthly data reveals some fluctuations. Crime rates per 1,000 residents were 9.0 in October 2024 and 9.2 in November 2024, before dropping to 8.0 in December 2024 and reaching a low of 7.1 in February 2025. Subsequently, there was an upward trend in spring and early summer, peaking at 10.0 in July 2025, before stabilising around 8.4 in September 2025. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is stable, there are seasonal variations, with a notable increase in mid-2025. For residents, this stable trend indicates that the overall risk level has not significantly changed, but awareness of monthly variations can be beneficial.

Comparing Rotherham with Nearby Areas

When comparing Rotherham's crime statistics with its neighbouring areas, a broader regional context emerges. Rotherham's overall crime rate of 104.8 per 1,000 is higher than areas like Chesterfield and Bassetlaw, which often present lower crime profiles. However, it is generally lower than larger urban centres such as Sheffield and Doncaster, which typically experience higher crime volumes due to their larger populations and urban characteristics. Barnsley, another nearby metropolitan borough, will likely present a comparable crime profile, given similar socio-economic landscapes. Rotherham's property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000 aligns with the UK average, suggesting a similar level of risk to property as seen in many other areas. This comparison helps residents understand Rotherham's position within the local region, indicating a moderate crime environment compared to its diverse neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in Rotherham

Given Rotherham's property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, which aligns with the national average, it is important for residents to consider robust home security measures. Traditional CCTV systems often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, offering a reactive approach. However, for those seeking genuine prevention, a proactive security system can make a significant difference.

Modern AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS are designed to detect threats at your property boundary, stopping crime before it happens. Unlike basic DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, professional-grade equipment offers real-time intervention. ScOS, for instance, uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed. It can even verify vehicles instantly with DVLA integration and learn your family's routines to only alert on real threats. This proactive deterrence, through features like lights activating and speakers engaging, destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. With most burglars making a decision within 60 seconds, visible and intelligent deterrence makes them move on, providing a superior level of protection compared to systems that only record incidents.