Blackheath Crime Rate

Blackheath recorded an overall crime rate of 135.9 per 1,000 people during the period from January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is significantly above the UK average of 91.6, reflecting the town's status as a high-activity urban and commercial centre in the West Midlands. Blackheath maintains a safety score of 67/100, which is typical for a busy metropolitan area. Concerningly, the crime trend is currently increasing, with a 7.7% rise year-over-year. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime affecting Blackheath, including a high property crime rate of 60.0 per 1,000, and offers insights into the times when crime is most likely to occur. For residents, this upward trend highlights the need for increased vigilance and proactive security measures.

In Blackheath, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences lead the statistics, accounting for 38.9% of all reports with 465 incidents. Shoplifting is a major concern, representing 20.1% of total crime (240 cases), which is exceptionally high for the area. Criminal damage and arson follow at 7.0% (83 cases).

Property-related crime is a significant issue for Blackheath residents, with a combined rate of 60.0 per 1,000 people. This includes 32 burglaries, 76 vehicle crimes, and over 300 theft-related incidents. The data shows that vehicle crime is particularly prevalent at night, accounting for nearly half of all crimes recorded between 12am and 6am. For homeowners and vehicle owners, these figures highlight the importance of secure parking and residential protection. The exceptionally high shoplifting rate also indicates that commercial areas are high-activity zones for opportunistic theft, which can impact the overall safety feel of the town.

The crime trend in Blackheath is concerning, with a 7.7% increase in total crimes year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates peaked at 15.7 in June but dropped as low as 8.4 in January. The latter half of the year generally saw higher activity, with rates frequently reaching 11.6 or higher. This suggests that criminal activity is increasing as the year progresses. For residents, this upward trend is a warning sign that local safety is deteriorating, making it more important than ever to maintain vigilance and invest in proactive security measures.

How To Keep Safe in Blackheath

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Blackheath, so personal safety and situational awareness in public areas are essential for residents and visitors.

1. Stay alert when walking through the town centre or near major transport interchanges, particularly during the evening hours.
2. Given that vehicle crime accounts for 49% of all night-time incidents, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit, secure area or a locked garage if possible.
3. When shopping in the town's retail districts, keep your valuables out of sight and be mindful of your surroundings during the peak afternoon theft period (12pm-6pm).
4. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit with motion-sensor lighting to eliminate dark spots that could be used by intruders.
5. If you are out late, stick to well-travelled, bright routes and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas or industrial estates.
6. Report any suspicious behaviour or anti-social activity to the local police to help them target their patrols more effectively.
7. Use high-quality locks on all windows and doors, and consider a visible security system to deter opportunistic criminals.

Crime in Blackheath follows clear temporal cycles. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the morning and afternoon, accounting for 37% and 42% of crimes respectively, which aligns with peak commercial activity. As the day turns to evening, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, become the dominant category at 54%. However, the most significant shift occurs at night; between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime surges to account for 49% of all recorded incidents. Burglary risks are highest in the afternoon (15%) and night (14%), suggesting a mix of daytime opportunistic theft and targeted night-time residential burglaries. This data indicates that vehicle security and retail protection are the primary concerns for residents across different times of the day.

In the local context of the Black Country, Blackheath (135.9 per 1,000) is a high-activity hub with a crime rate that reflects its significant retail and transport infrastructure. It experiences more frequent crime than nearby Rowley Regis (77.3), Cradley Heath (101.5), and Oldbury (100.8). It is also slightly more dangerous than Halesowen (65.9). These comparisons highlight Blackheath's position as a central commercial town, where the concentration of shops and transport links naturally leads to higher reported crime volumes than in more purely residential neighbouring towns. For those considering the region, Blackheath offers a busy urban environment that requires active security.

With a high property crime rate of 60.0 per 1,000 people, residents and business owners in Blackheath face a significant risk, particularly from shoplifting, vehicle theft, and burglary. Traditional security measures like standard CCTV or basic alarms are reactive—they record a crime as it happens but rarely stop it. In a busy urban environment, this often means you are left with footage of a theft rather than the property itself.

For effective protection in Blackheath, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the modern solution. scOS doesn't just record; it prevents. Using multi-camera intelligence, it monitors your property boundaries in real-time. With vehicle crime accounting for a significant 49% of night-time incidents in the area, scOS's ability to verify vehicles and detect intruders before they reach your car or home is invaluable. Features like autonomous responses—activating lights or speakers—can deter a criminal within 60 seconds. Choosing professional-grade, proactive security ensures your property is a difficult target, encouraging potential intruders to move on.