Wistow (Selby) Crime Rate

Wistow (Selby) is a highly secure and peaceful village with an overall crime rate of 29.3 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area an impressive safety score of 92/100. For the 1,571 residents, this reflects a community with very low levels of criminal activity. While the trend shows an increase of 21.1% year-over-year, it is important to note that this is from a very low baseline, where a few additional incidents can cause a high percentage change. The property crime rate is also remarkably low at 4.5 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. Wistow remains one of the safest residential choices in the Selby area, offering a secure environment for families and homeowners.

Wistow (Selby) is primarily affected by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 54.4% of all reports (15.9 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent issue at 26.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.7%. These three categories dominate the local crime landscape, accounting for nearly 90% of all activity.

Property crime—which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—is remarkably low in Wistow, with a rate of just 4.5 per 1,000 people. This is far below the UK average of 32.9. Notably, burglary does not feature as a significant crime type in the area, with 'other theft' (4.3%) and vehicle crime (2.2%) being the primary property-related concerns. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a very safe environment where the risk of home intrusion is minimal. However, the prevalence of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour suggests that maintaining a secure property boundary is still beneficial for preventing nuisance crimes and maintaining the village's high safety score.

Wistow (Selby) is currently experiencing an upward trend in criminal activity, with a 21.1% increase in crime year-over-year. While this percentage may seem concerning, it is important to contextualize it within the village's very low overall crime volume. In a small community like Wistow, an increase of just a few incidents can result in a high percentage change. Monthly data shows that for much of the year, the crime rate was extremely low, with many months recording between 0.6 and 2.6 per 1,000 people.

There was a notable peak in January 2025, where the rate reached 4.5, and another in April at 3.8. These fluctuations are typical for small residential areas and often relate to specific, isolated incidents rather than a systemic increase in danger. By October, the rate had returned to 1.9. Despite the 21.1% increase, Wistow remains one of the safest places to live in the region. The overall trend suggests that while there has been a slight uptick in activity, the village maintains its status as a high-safety area with very low levels of serious crime. For residents, this simply highlights the importance of continued community vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Wistow (Selby)

The most common crime in Wistow is violence and sexual offences, though the actual number of incidents is very low. Safety in this village is primarily about maintaining its peaceful character through community awareness and simple precautions.

1. Ensure that all garden equipment and bicycles are stored in a locked shed or garage, as 'other theft' accounts for a portion of local property crime.
2. Use dusk-to-dawn lighting around your home to eliminate dark spots that could be used by opportunistic vandals or those engaging in anti-social behaviour.
3. Stay connected with your neighbours through local community groups to share information about any suspicious activity or unusual vehicles spotted in the village.
4. Even in a safe area, lock all doors and windows when leaving the house, as opportunistic theft often occurs during the afternoon hours (52% of afternoon crime is theft).
5. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities to help maintain the area's high safety score and ensure the village remains a secure environment for everyone.

Crime in Wistow (Selby) follows distinct temporal patterns, though the overall number of incidents is low. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) and evening (6pm - 12am) are the most active periods. During the afternoon, theft is the dominant concern, accounting for 52% of all offences. This suggests that opportunistic activity is most likely when residents are active or away from home during the day.

As the day transitions into the night (12am - 6am), the focus shifts to vehicle crime, which makes up 33% of night-time reports, and 'other' offences, which account for 57%. This is a common pattern for quiet residential areas where vehicles parked on driveways become targets overnight. Evening hours see a very high concentration of 'other' crimes (71%), which includes anti-social behaviour and public order issues. Interestingly, burglary is not recorded as a significant factor in any of these time periods. For residents, the data indicates that protecting vehicles overnight and securing outdoor items during the afternoon are the most effective ways to mitigate the already low risks in the area.

In the local region, Wistow is a standout for safety. Its crime rate of 29.3 per 1,000 is lower than nearby Cawood (34.3) and significantly lower than larger urban areas like Selby (83.4) and Barlby (70.1). This makes Wistow an attractive option for those seeking a quiet, low-risk lifestyle while remaining close to local amenities. While it is slightly more active than Riccall (18.8), it is much safer than the regional average. For residents, this context confirms that Wistow provides a superior safety profile compared to many of its neighbours, maintaining a stable and secure village atmosphere with minimal criminal activity.

With a property crime rate of just 4.5 per 1,000 people, Wistow is an exceptionally safe village. However, the presence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—which together account for over 34% of local crime—shows that even safe areas can experience nuisance offences. Traditional security systems are reactive; they record an incident after it has happened, which is often too late to prevent damage or theft.

scOS provides a proactive alternative by using AI-powered detection at the property boundary. In an area like Wistow, where crime is low but anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, scOS can identify potential threats before they reach your home. Its multi-camera intelligence monitors for unusual activity, such as someone loitering near your property in the evening (when 71% of evening crimes are 'other' offences). By activating deterrents like lights or audio alerts autonomously, scOS removes the opportunity for offenders. For Wistow residents, professional-grade security like scOS is about maintaining their high quality of life and ensuring their property remains a hard target in a low-crime landscape.