Sefton Crime Rate

Sefton's latest crime statistics reveal an overall crime rate of 84.3 per 1,000 people for the period from January 2025 to December 2025. This figure is lower than the UK national average of 91.6, highlighting Sefton's status as a relatively safe metropolitan borough. The area also holds a high safety score of 80/100. The crime trend is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 1.2%, suggesting that the safety environment remains consistent. This report provides a detailed breakdown of the different crime types in Sefton, monthly trends, and practical safety advice for residents to help maintain the borough's secure reputation.

About Sefton

Sefton is a diverse metropolitan borough in Merseyside, stretching from the northern parts of Liverpool up to the coastal resort of Southport. The area is characterized by its stunning coastline, including the famous Antony Gormley statues at Crosby Beach and the Formby pinewoods. Southport serves as a major tourist destination, hosting events like the Southport Air Show and Flower Show, which attract significant seasonal footfall.

The borough's economic landscape is varied, with the Port of Liverpool in the south influencing the industrial and transport sectors, while the north is more focused on tourism and retail. Sefton features some of the most affluent residential areas in the North West, alongside more urban, densely populated zones. This mix of high-value residential property and busy tourist hubs creates a unique crime profile. The transient population in tourist areas and the transport links to Liverpool and Manchester are factors that contribute to the local crime statistics, particularly for opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour.

Crime Breakdown in Sefton

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Sefton, accounting for 42.2% of all reports with 10,185 incidents. This is followed by public order offences at 10.6% and anti-social behaviour at 9.8%. The prominence of public order and anti-social behaviour is often linked to the busy town centres and coastal tourist areas.

Property crime in Sefton—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—has a combined rate of 22.9 per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson are the most frequent in this category, representing 7.7% of total crime. Shoplifting also features significantly at 7.0%. Burglary occurs at a rate of 2.3 per 1,000, while vehicle crime is recorded at 2.5 per 1,000. For residents, these figures highlight that while the borough is generally safe, property protection and vigilance in public spaces remain important. The relatively low burglary rate suggests that high-impact residential crime is less common than opportunistic vandalism and theft.

Crime Trends in Sefton

The crime trend in Sefton has remained stable over the past year, with a total decrease of 1.2% year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 5.6 and 7.7. The highest rates were recorded in May, June, July, and August, all averaging around 7.5 per 1,000, which likely corresponds with increased tourism and outdoor activity during the summer months.

The lowest rate was seen in February, dipping to 5.6 per 1,000. This pattern shows a consistent baseline of activity with predictable seasonal peaks during the summer and a dip in the winter. The minor downward trend is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting that local safety initiatives and policing are effectively managing the area's overall crime volume. For residents, this stability provides a high degree of predictability in the local safety environment.

Sefton is part of the vibrant Merseyside region. When compared to nearby areas like Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, West Lancashire, St. Helens, and Halton—all of which show 0.0 crimes in this specific comparison data—Sefton's rate of 84.3 per 1,000 people is a solid indicator of its safety. In a regional context, Sefton offers a mix of urban and coastal living that is generally considered safer than the denser urban core of Liverpool. For residents in the North West, Sefton provides a high-quality, secure environment with excellent amenities and a lower-than-average crime profile.

Home Security and Protection in Sefton

With a property crime rate of 22.9 per 1,000 residents, Sefton homeowners should focus on proactive security measures. While the area is generally safe, the presence of affluent residential zones and busy tourist hubs can attract opportunistic property crime. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, are often reactive—they record a crime after it has already occurred, which provides little comfort to the victim.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to turn your cameras into an active security system. Instead of just recording, scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time. It can distinguish between a family member, a delivery person, and a genuine threat. For Sefton residents, the system's ability to autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings the moment a boundary is breached is a major advantage. It destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. Additionally, scOS can verify vehicle plates against DVLA data, helping to identify suspicious vehicles in your neighbourhood. By focusing on prevention rather than just evidence gathering, scOS provides a superior level of protection for homes in Sefton.

How To Keep Safe in Sefton

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Sefton, often concentrated in busy town centres or nightlife areas. To stay safe across the borough, consider these practical tips:

1. When visiting popular tourist spots like Southport's Lord Street or Crosby Beach, remain aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure.
2. If you are out in the evening, stick to well-lit, busy streets and avoid taking shortcuts through parks or quiet coastal paths after dark.
3. Be mindful of your vehicle's security in large car parks; ensure it is locked and that no valuables are left on display, as this can attract opportunistic theft.
4. If you encounter anti-social behaviour or public disorder, do not engage; move to a safe, populated area and report the incident to the authorities.
5. In residential areas, consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about local activity and help keep your community safe.