Bishop's Castle Crime Rate

Bishop's Castle is a relatively safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 69.3 per 1,000 people. This is comfortably below the UK national average of 91.7, earning the area a safety score of 82/100. However, the trend direction is currently increasing, with a notable 32.5% rise in reported incidents over the last year. This increase suggests that while the area remains safer than many parts of the UK, residents should be aware of a recent rise in local activity. The data that follows provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime types and time patterns to help residents understand their local environment more clearly.

In Bishop's Castle, the crime landscape is heavily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for exactly 50.0% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (12.3%) and other theft (8.5%). These top three categories represent the majority of local police activity, suggesting that interpersonal and public order issues are more frequent than organised property crime.

Property crime in Bishop's Castle, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a rate of 18.3 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a lower risk of having property stolen or damaged compared to the national trend. Specifically, burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, each accounting for less than 3% of the total crime volume. Despite this, the presence of 'other theft' and shoplifting suggests that opportunistic crime still exists, necessitating standard security precautions for personal belongings and residential properties.

Bishop's Castle is experiencing a significant upward trend in crime, with a 32.5% increase in total offences year-over-year. A review of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows several distinct peaks. The highest rate was recorded in December 2024 (10.5 per 1,000), followed by a notable surge in October 2025 (9.2). These spikes are interspersed with much quieter months, such as April and May, where the rate dropped to 3.3. This pattern suggests that crime in Bishop's Castle may be seasonal or driven by specific events rather than being a constant pressure. However, the overall annual rise is a clear signal for residents to remain vigilant, as the general frequency of reported incidents has clearly shifted upwards compared to previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Bishop's Castle

With violence and sexual offences making up 50.0% of the crime in Bishop's Castle, personal safety and community awareness are the primary focus for residents.

1. Personal Awareness: When walking alone, especially during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid using headphones which can limit your auditory awareness.
2. Community Vigilance: Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue. Engaging with local community watch groups can help identify and report persistent issues before they escalate.
3. Secure Valuables: While property crime is lower than the UK average, the presence of 'other theft' means you should never leave valuables in plain sight in cars or near open windows.
4. Report Non-Emergencies: Use the 101 service to report suspicious activity. Consistent reporting helps local police understand patterns and deploy resources to the areas where they are most needed.

Crime in Bishop's Castle shows a clear daytime bias. Morning and afternoon periods are heavily dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 54% to 56% of incidents respectively. This suggests that the majority of property-related crime occurs when people are active and businesses are open. As night falls, the composition of crime changes. Vehicle crime and burglary reach their highest relative percentages between 12am and 6am, with burglary accounting for 18% of night-time activity compared to just 8% in the morning. Interestingly, the data indicates that violence-related offences are not specifically tied to these time periods in the same way theft is, implying a different set of triggers. Residents should be most vigilant about their property security during the day to prevent theft, while ensuring vehicles are securely locked and homes are alarmed overnight.

Comparing Bishop's Castle to other nearby areas reveals a varied local safety landscape. Its crime rate of 69.3 per 1,000 is almost identical to Craven Arms (70.0), suggesting similar levels of activity in these larger settlements. However, it is significantly more active than Montgomery (49.8) and Churchstoke (33.4). The village of Clun stands out with a reported crime rate of 0.0, highlighting its status as an exceptionally quiet rural neighbour. For those looking at the Shropshire region, Bishop's Castle represents a moderately active hub that is still considerably safer than the UK average.

Bishop's Castle maintains a property crime rate of 18.3 per 1,000, which is well below national levels. However, with crime increasing by 32.5% year-over-year, residents should consider moving beyond traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are reactive, providing footage only after a crime has been committed. In an area where theft and burglary are low but increasing, proactive prevention is a more effective strategy. scOS utilizes AI-powered intelligence to identify potential threats at your property boundary. Rather than just recording a burglary, it aims to prevent it by using autonomous responses like activating security lights or engaging speakers to deter intruders the moment they are detected. This multi-camera intelligence understands the difference between a delivery driver and a suspicious loiterer, reducing false alarms and ensuring that your home is protected by a system that never blinks. Proactive protection like scOS turns your home into a hard target, which is the most effective way to discourage opportunistic crime in a growing area.