Wath upon Dearne Crime Rate

Wath upon Dearne recorded an overall crime rate of 86.9 per 1,000 people for the period between December 2024 and November 2025. This is a positive figure, as it sits below the UK average of 91.7. Consequently, the area has earned a safety score of 78/100, which is nearly identical to the national average of 79. Most encouragingly, the crime trend is decreasing, with an 8.1% reduction in recorded incidents year-over-year. As a well-established settlement in the Dearne Valley, Wath upon Dearne offers a more stable safety profile than many of its larger urban neighbours. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types, time-based patterns, and local comparisons to help residents understand their local environment.

Crime in Wath upon Dearne

In Wath upon Dearne, violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for a significant 43.9% of all recorded incidents, with a rate of 38.2 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows at 14.9%, with public order offences making up 8.0%. For those focused on residential and asset security, the property crime rate is 22.9 per 1,000 people. This lower-than-average figure includes 79 burglaries (4.9% of total crime) and 110 vehicle crimes (6.8%). Other property-related issues include criminal damage and arson (7.0%) and 'other theft' (5.0%). While the overall property crime rate is lower than the UK average of 32.3, the high percentage of violent offences suggests that personal safety awareness is just as important for residents as home security. The localized nature of these crimes often reflects the town's residential character and local social dynamics.

The crime trend in Wath upon Dearne is significantly positive, with an 8.1% year-over-year decrease in total recorded incidents. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a period of relative calm in the winter, with rates as low as 5.2 per 1,000 in February. There was a notable increase during the spring and summer, peaking at 8.8 in July, which is a common seasonal pattern in the UK. However, the latter part of the year saw a steadying of the crime rate at 7.8 per 1,000 residents for the final three months. This downward trajectory compared to previous years suggests that the area is becoming safer over time. For residents, this long-term improvement is an encouraging sign that local community safety measures are effective.

How To Keep Safe in Wath upon Dearne

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Wath upon Dearne, making personal awareness key to staying safe. When walking through the town, particularly in the evenings, stick to well-lit routes and avoid shortcuts through less-populated areas like the local parks or industrial fringes. Since 50% of vehicle crimes occur at night, always park in a garage if available, or use a well-lit driveway supplemented by motion-sensor lighting. Avoid leaving any items—even low-value ones—visible inside your car. For home security, 23% of burglaries happen in the afternoon; ensure all doors and windows are locked even if you are just popping out for a short time. Engaging with local community watch groups can also provide an extra layer of security, as residents in Wath upon Dearne often look out for one another's properties.

Crime in Wath upon Dearne follows distinct temporal patterns that vary by type. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are primarily characterized by theft (36%) and vehicle-related issues (24%), likely linked to commercial activity and morning commutes. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains the dominant concern at 41%, and this period also sees the highest frequency of burglaries (23%). The evening hours (6pm-12am) shift toward anti-social behaviour and public order issues, categorized under 'other' crimes (43%). Most notably, the night-time period (12am-6am) is the peak for vehicle crime, which accounts for a staggering 50% of all incidents during these hours. This suggests that while daytime crime is driven by opportunity in commercial or busy areas, night-time crime is focused on unattended property and vehicles. Residents should tailor their security habits accordingly, focusing on personal awareness during the day and robust asset protection overnight.

Within the local region, Wath upon Dearne is one of the safer options for residents. Its crime rate of 86.9 per 1,000 is lower than that of neighbouring Bolton upon Dearne (88.2) and Swinton (90.8). The difference becomes even more pronounced when compared to Brampton, which has a rate of 119.6, or Mexborough, where the rate is significantly higher at 147.8. For those looking to live in the Dearne Valley area, Wath upon Dearne provides a relatively secure environment with a crime profile that is both lower than the national average and improving. This makes it a statistically attractive location for those prioritizing safety and stability within the Rotherham borough.

With a property crime rate of 22.9 per 1,000 residents, Wath upon Dearne is safer than many UK towns, but property protection remains essential—especially at night. Data shows that 50% of vehicle crimes in the area occur between midnight and 6am, a time when traditional reactive security (like standard CCTV) often fails to prevent the act. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI to watch your property when you can't. It doesn't just record a thief stealing from your car; it detects the intruder at the edge of your driveway and intervenes. By autonomously activating lights or audio warnings, scOS destroys the element of surprise burglars and vehicle thieves rely on. This proactive detection is particularly relevant for Wath upon Dearne, where night-time security is the primary concern for homeowners. Moving beyond simple recording to active prevention ensures your property is a hard target, encouraging criminals to move on.