Rural Rotherham Crime Rate

Rural Rotherham, encompassing the more dispersed settlements within the local authority, has a crime rate of 113.2 per 1,000 people for the period from December 2024 to November 2025. This figure is higher than the UK national average of 91.7. The area holds a safety score of 73/100, which is below the UK average of 79/100. Despite these figures, the current crime trend is stable, showing a 4.6% decrease year-over-year. These statistics indicate that while the area is rural, it faces significant safety challenges compared to national benchmarks. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime in Rural Rotherham, their temporal patterns, and advice for residents to enhance their security in this unique regional setting.

In Rural Rotherham, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.0% of all reports with 369 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also a significant concern, making up 20.1% of the total, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.3%. For residents, the property crime rate is 36.1 per 1,000 people, which is slightly higher than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes burglary (6.8%), vehicle crime (6.4%), and various forms of theft. The higher property crime rate, particularly with burglary being more prevalent here than in some urban counterparts, suggests that homeowners in rural settings should be particularly mindful of their security. The combination of isolated properties and higher property crime rates necessitates a robust approach to both personal and asset protection.

The crime trend in Rural Rotherham is currently stable, with a year-over-year decrease of 4.6%. This indicates that the overall volume of reported crime has remained consistent, with a slight improvement. Analysis of the monthly trendData from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents starting at 8.7 in December 2024 and fluctuating throughout the year. The highest activity was recorded in May 2025 with a rate of 11.8, followed by July at 11.6. The year ended with a rate of 7.5 in November. Despite these monthly variations, the overall trend suggests that current community safety measures are maintaining a steady state in the area. This stability is generally positive for residents, indicating a predictable safety environment.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Rotherham

The most frequent crime in Rural Rotherham is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. To enhance your personal and property safety in this rural context, consider these practical steps:

1. Secure Isolated Properties: Ensure all entry points, including gates and outbuildings, are locked with high-quality padlocks. Rural homes can be more vulnerable due to their isolation.
2. Park Vehicles Securely: With vehicle crime making up 40% of night-time incidents, always park in a garage if possible or in a well-lit area close to the house.
3. Daytime Vigilance: Since 31% of burglaries occur in the afternoon, always lock doors and windows when you are away, even if only for a short time.
4. Join Rural Watch Schemes: Engaging with local rural crime prevention groups can provide real-time updates on suspicious activity in your specific area.
5. Enhance Boundary Lighting: Motion-activated lighting can be a powerful deterrent in rural areas where the absence of street lighting can provide cover for intruders.

Crime in Rural Rotherham shows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning and afternoon, theft is a significant concern, accounting for 27% and 30% of incidents respectively. This likely reflects activity in the area's small commercial hubs and community spaces. As the day transitions into the night, the focus of criminal activity shifts dramatically toward property and vehicle crime. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for a significant 40% of all reported crimes, and burglary makes up 26%. This indicates that residential assets are at much higher risk under the cover of darkness. Burglary also peaks in the afternoon (31%), likely targeting homes while residents are away. Understanding these shifts allows residents to better time their security checks and remain vigilant during high-risk periods for specific crime types.

Rural Rotherham exists in a complex regional environment where its crime rate of 113.2 per 1,000 people is higher than several of its urban neighbours. This highlights a common misconception that rural areas are inherently safer than towns. For residents, this means that safety precautions should be just as rigorous as those in more built-up areas. The dispersed nature of the population can also influence the types of crime reported and the speed of emergency responses. Understanding these regional dynamics is essential for those living in or considering a move to the more rural parts of the Rotherham local authority area.

In Rural Rotherham, where the property crime rate is 36.1 per 1,000 people, home security is a critical priority. Rural properties often face unique challenges, such as being more isolated and having multiple entry points that are not easily overlooked by neighbours. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV or doorbell cameras are reactive; they record footage of a crime while it is happening or after it has occurred. For real protection in a rural setting, a proactive approach is necessary. An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect potential threats in real-time. The system can distinguish between routine activities and suspicious patterns, triggering autonomous responses like activating lights or audio warnings that deter intruders. In Rural Rotherham, where burglary and vehicle crime account for a significant portion of night-time offences, having a system that can verify vehicle plates and detect boundary breaches is a major advantage. Proactive protection makes your home a difficult target, encouraging opportunistic offenders to move on. Investing in preventative technology like scOS ensures your home remains secure, rather than just providing footage of an incident.