Church Stretton Crime Rate

Church Stretton, Shropshire, demonstrates a crime rate of 36.7 incidents per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. This rate is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, contributing to a safety score of 91/100. While the overall crime levels are relatively low, the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.5% of recorded crimes, warrants attention. A decreasing trend of -5.6% year-on-year suggests a positive development in community safety, although continued vigilance remains crucial. Understanding the specific crime breakdown and trends is essential for residents and visitors alike.

Church Stretton exhibits a concerning crime profile, particularly regarding violence and sexual offences, which account for 43.5% of reported incidents. These crimes represent 73 occurrences within the data period, significantly impacting the area’s overall safety score of 91/100. Other theft follows as the second most prevalent crime type, with 30 incidents reported. Anti-social behaviour contributes a further 19 crimes, indicating potential issues with community disturbance. While property crime, encompassing burglary, criminal damage, and vehicle crime, totals 12.2 per 1,000 residents, it is lower than the UK average. The presence of shoplifting and drugs-related offences further illustrates the varied nature of criminal activity within Church Stretton.

Crime rates in Church Stretton have demonstrated a consistent downward trend throughout the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reflecting a decrease of 5.6% year-on-year. Monthly data reveals significant fluctuations, with a particularly low point in October 2025 (2.0 per 1,000/month) and a higher peak in June 2025 (4.4 per 1,000/month). This decreasing trend is a positive indicator for community safety and suggests ongoing efforts to reduce crime are proving effective. However, the variability in monthly rates highlights the importance of continued vigilance and proactive crime prevention measures.

How To Keep Safe in Church Stretton

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, it's important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly during evening hours. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas. Due to reported theft, secure your belongings and valuables, and be cautious of pickpockets. Consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to enhance community vigilance. If you witness suspicious activity, report it to the police promptly. Finally, ensure your home and vehicle are securely locked, particularly when unattended.

Criminal activity in Church Stretton exhibits a varied pattern throughout the day. Burglary incidents are relatively evenly distributed, with a slightly higher concentration in the evening hours. Theft, particularly during commercial hours, constitutes a significant portion of crimes. Vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour are more prevalent during the night, suggesting a correlation with reduced visibility and activity. It’s important to note that these patterns are general trends and individual incidents can occur at any time.

Church Stretton’s crime rate is significantly higher than surrounding villages like All Stretton, Dorrington, and Easthope, which report zero crimes. However, it remains lower than the neighbouring area of Craven Arms, which has a considerably higher crime rate of 73.5 per 1,000 residents. This disparity highlights the unique challenges and potential contributing factors within Church Stretton itself.

Traditional CCTV systems provide a recording of events, often only revealing a burglary after it has occurred. However, a proactive approach to home security, such as that offered by scOS, can fundamentally change this dynamic. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, detects threats at the property boundary, utilising multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification to identify potential risks before they escalate. The visible presence of scOS serves as a powerful deterrent, often causing potential intruders to move on within those critical first 60 seconds – the timeframe in which most burglaries are decided. Pattern learning ensures that only genuine threats trigger alerts, minimising false alarms and providing peace of mind. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively preventing threats at your property line is another.