Helmsley Crime Rate

Helmsley is a highly secure and peaceful town in North Yorkshire, reflected in its excellent safety score of 92/100. The overall crime rate stands at 47.0 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Furthermore, the town is experiencing a positive downward trend, with a 21.6% decrease in crime year-over-year. Most of the recorded activity is related to anti-social behaviour, likely influenced by the town's popularity with visitors, while property crime is remarkably low at just 10.5 per 1,000. This makes Helmsley an attractive location for those prioritising safety and a low-risk residential environment. The following sections provide a detailed look at the crime breakdown, temporal patterns, and how Helmsley compares to its rural neighbours.

Crime Breakdown in Helmsley

Helmsley's crime profile is unique, with anti-social behaviour being the most significant issue, accounting for 48.3% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 15.5% and public order at 13.8%. The property crime rate in Helmsley is very low at 10.5 per 1,000 residents, which is less than a third of the UK average. Burglary represents 5.2% of total crime, while vehicle crime and bicycle theft are both minimal at 1.7% each. This suggests that while social nuisance and public order are the main drivers of local statistics—likely due to its status as a popular tourist destination—the risk to residential property and vehicles is exceptionally low. For homeowners, the primary concern is maintaining the peace and preventing minor property damage rather than high-stakes theft.

Crime Trends in Helmsley

Helmsley is currently on a very positive safety trajectory, with a 21.6% decrease in total crime year-over-year. The monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate remains low and stable, typically between 1.6 and 4.1 per 1,000 residents. There was a significant spike in October 2025, where the rate jumped to 10.5, but this appears to be an anomaly compared to the rest of the year. For example, July recorded just 4.1, and several months like March, May, and August were as low as 1.6. This overall downward trend, despite occasional monthly fluctuations, indicates that Helmsley remains a very safe and increasingly secure place for its residents. The consistent low rates throughout most of the year are a testament to the town's peaceful character.

How To Keep Safe in Helmsley

The most common crime type in Helmsley is anti-social behaviour. To help maintain the town's peaceful atmosphere, residents should report any persistent noise, littering, or nuisance to the local council or police. For personal property, the low crime rates should not lead to complacency. As "other theft" and criminal damage are the next most common property issues, ensure that gardens are tidy and that valuable items like garden furniture or tools are secured when not in use. Since Helmsley is a popular tourist destination, it is also wise to be mindful of opportunistic theft during busy weekends or events; keep your bags zipped and don't leave valuables visible in parked cars. Finally, for homeowners, installing motion-activated lighting is a simple way to deter anti-social behaviour around your property at night, which is when the proportional risk of burglary and other property offences is slightly higher.

Helmsley's crime patterns are closely tied to its daily activity cycle. Theft-related offences are most prevalent during the morning (47%) and afternoon (46%), coinciding with the town's retail and tourist activity. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts towards "other" offences, primarily anti-social behaviour and public order, which account for 49% of evening incidents and 39% of night-time activity. While the overall volume of crime is low, night-time (12am-6am) is the period when burglary (33%) and vehicle crime (17%) are proportionally most likely to occur. This suggests that while daytime is busier for minor social issues, the small amount of serious property crime is concentrated in the late-night hours when the town is quietest.

In the context of the surrounding Ryedale countryside, Helmsley is the primary urban centre and thus records the most activity. While its rate of 47.0 per 1,000 is very safe by national standards, it is surrounded by villages that recorded zero crimes over the same period, including Nawton, Beadlam, Oswaldkirk, Ampleforth, and Wombleton. For residents, this means that while Helmsley is exceptionally safe compared to larger towns or cities, it is the most "active" location in its immediate rural cluster. This profile is typical for a market town that serves as a hub for tourism and local commerce.

Helmsley enjoys a very low property crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000, but the high percentage of anti-social behaviour (48.3%) suggests that nuisance and minor property interference are the main concerns for homeowners. Traditional security cameras are often insufficient for these types of issues, as they only record the nuisance rather than stopping it. The scOS AI-powered operating system provides a more effective, proactive solution. By using AI to monitor property boundaries, scOS can distinguish between a delivery person and someone loitering or engaging in anti-social behaviour. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger lights or audio alerts, deterring the individual before they cause any trouble. For Helmsley residents, scOS offers a sophisticated way to maintain their property's peace and security, ensuring that the town's high safety standards are upheld at their own front door.