Farnborough Crime Rate

Farnborough is a notably safe urban settlement, featuring an overall crime rate of 79.2 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the town an impressive safety score of 81/100. Residents can be further encouraged by the recent trend direction, as crime has decreased by 7.6% year-over-year. With a population of nearly 60,000, Farnborough maintains a secure residential character that compares favourably to both regional and national benchmarks. The low property crime rate of 27.7 per 1,000 highlights the area as a stable and low-risk environment for families and homeowners alike.

Crime in Farnborough

Farnborough's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.8% of all reported incidents. This is followed by shoplifting at 12.3% and anti-social behaviour at 10.7%. The relatively high percentage of shoplifting is a direct result of Farnborough's significant retail presence, including major shopping centres that attract high footfall and, consequently, opportunistic theft.

Property-related crime in Farnborough, including burglary, vehicle crime, and theft, occurs at a rate of 27.7 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting that the town is generally safer for homeowners than many other urban areas of its size. Burglary accounts for 2.8% of total crime, while vehicle crime is more prevalent at 6.5%. For residents, this means that while the overall risk to property is lower than the national average, the combination of shoplifting, vehicle crime, and other theft still necessitates a proactive approach to security. Homeowners should be particularly aware of vehicle-related offences, which represent a significant portion of the town's property crime.

Farnborough Crime Trends

Farnborough is currently experiencing a very positive safety trend, with an overall crime reduction of 7.6% year-over-year. This significant drop indicates that local safety initiatives and community vigilance are having a measurable impact. A closer look at the monthly data from the past year shows a degree of seasonality but a generally controlled environment.

The crime rate hit its lowest points in June and August, recording between 5.4 and 5.8 per 1,000 residents. A notable peak occurred in November, where the rate reached 8.1, the highest recorded in the 12-month period. This late-autumn peak may be associated with the lead-up to the festive shopping season, which often sees a rise in opportunistic theft. Throughout the spring and early summer, the rate remained stable, fluctuating between 6.5 and 7.6. This pattern suggests that while residents should remain extra vigilant during the winter shopping months, the long-term trend in Farnborough is one of increasing safety and stability. The town's ability to maintain a rate below the national average throughout the year is a strong indicator of its secure environment.

How To Keep Safe in Farnborough

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Farnborough. While the town is safer than the UK average and crime is decreasing, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal safety.

1. Be Mindful When Shopping: Shoplifting is the second most common crime in Farnborough. Always keep your bags zipped and be extra vigilant with your personal belongings in busy retail areas like the town centre.
2. Secure Your Vehicle Overnight: Vehicle crime is a major night-time issue, accounting for 53% of incidents between 12am and 6am. Always ensure your car is locked, parked in a well-lit area, and that no valuables are visible.
3. Plan Your Evening Routes: When out during the evening or night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through parks or unlit paths.
4. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is a top concern in the area. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps authorities identify hotspots and allocate resources effectively.
5. Install Motion-Activated Lighting: For homeowners, installing bright external lighting can discourage opportunistic anti-social behaviour and criminal damage around your property.

Crime Timing in Farnborough

Crime in Farnborough exhibits clear daily cycles that are important for residents to understand. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is the peak time for theft-related offences, which account for a substantial 52% of all crimes during these hours. This is likely driven by the high volume of shoppers in the town's retail centres. Burglary also reaches its daily peak during this afternoon window (15%).

As evening sets in (6pm-12am), the focus shifts toward "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which make up 41% of reports. However, the most striking pattern occurs overnight (12am-6am). While the total volume of crime decreases, vehicle crime surges to account for a massive 53% of all night-time incidents. This is an exceptionally high concentration, indicating that vehicle owners are at their highest risk during the early hours of the morning. Residents should focus on securing their belongings during the busy afternoon and ensuring their vehicles are exceptionally well-protected overnight. Understanding these time-based risks is key to maintaining a safe lifestyle in Farnborough.

In the local context, Farnborough is one of the more secure urban areas in its region. Its crime rate of 79.2 per 1,000 is lower than neighbouring Aldershot (91.9) and significantly below the national average. While it has a slightly higher rate than more suburban or village areas like Frimley (62.7) or Hawley (54.9), it offers a much safer environment than many other towns of its size. For those looking at the Rushmoor and surrounding Surrey-Hampshire border areas, Farnborough provides a high level of safety combined with excellent local amenities and transport links. This makes it a balanced and attractive choice for residential living.

Enhanced Property Security in Farnborough

Farnborough’s property crime rate of 27.7 per 1,000 people is a positive sign for homeowners, sitting comfortably below the UK average. However, with vehicle crime making up 6.5% of total incidents and burglary still a factor, maintaining high security standards is important. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or DIY smart doorbells, are often reactive—they record the crime as it happens, but do little to stop it. By the time you receive a notification on your phone, the intruder may already be on your property.

For Farnborough residents who want to move from recording crime to preventing it, scOS offers a proactive alternative. As an AI-powered security operating system, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they escalate. It can distinguish between a neighbour and a potential intruder, only alerting you to genuine risks. With autonomous responses like activating sirens or floodlights, scOS destroys the element of surprise, often causing burglars to move on before they even reach your door. In an area where 53% of night-time crime is vehicle-related, the proactive vigilance of scOS provides a level of security that standard systems simply cannot match. Moving to proactive prevention is the most effective way to secure your home.