Craven Arms Crime Rate

Craven Arms is a town with a safety score of 81/100, indicating a good level of security for its residents. Its annual crime rate of 73.5 per 1,000 people is comfortably below the UK average of 91.6. However, the area has seen a 9.3% increase in crime over the last year, reflecting a moderate upward trend in reported incidents. This data, which covers the period from January 2025 to December 2025, shows that while Craven Arms is safer than many larger urban areas, it faces specific challenges, particularly regarding personal safety. The following analysis breaks down the most common crime types and timing patterns to provide a clearer picture of the local environment.

Crime in Craven Arms

Craven Arms is characterized by a high proportion of violence and sexual offences, which account for 51.2% of all reported crime, totalling 108 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 17.5%, followed by 'other theft' at 9.0%. This profile suggests that over two-thirds of the crime in the area is related to personal safety and public order rather than property theft.

Property-related crime in Craven Arms, including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, has a combined rate of 16.0 per 1,000 people. Within this category, 'other theft' is the most frequent, while burglary accounts for 3.3% of total crime (7 cases). Vehicle crime and robbery are very rare, each making up less than 1% of the total. For residents and homeowners, this indicates that while the town is generally safe from break-ins and car theft, the high levels of violence and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns that impact the local sense of security. Standard property protection remains important, but community-focused safety is the broader challenge.

Craven Arms Crime Trends

Craven Arms has seen a steady increase in its crime rate over the last year, with a 9.3% year-over-year rise in total offences. The monthly data for 2025 shows a fairly consistent level of activity with some notable peaks. The year began with a rate of 5.9 in January, which rose to 7.0 in March and reached its highest point in June at 9.4 crimes per 1,000 people. The latter half of the year saw rates fluctuate between 5.2 and 7.0, ending on a high note in December. This pattern indicates that while there isn't a single seasonal cause for the increase, the town is experiencing a generally busier policing environment. Residents should note that the higher rates in June and December suggest periods where extra vigilance may be beneficial.

How To Keep Safe in Craven Arms

The most prevalent crime in Craven Arms is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. Taking proactive steps for personal and community safety can significantly reduce your risk.

1. When out in the town, especially during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
2. Report anti-social behaviour to the local council or police non-emergency line; early reporting helps authorities deploy resources more effectively.
3. Keep your home's exterior well-maintained and well-lit to deter opportunistic crime, particularly as burglary percentages rise during the night.
4. If you use local car parks, ensure no valuables are left on display, even though vehicle crime is low, prevention is always better than cure.
5. Participate in local community safety meetings to stay informed about police priorities and share concerns with your local officers.

Craven Arms Time Patterns

Crime in Craven Arms follows a clear temporal cycle. Theft-related offences are heavily concentrated during the day, making up 63% of all reported crimes in both the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm). This suggests that shoplifting and other thefts are primarily opportunistic during business hours. As night falls, the risk profile shifts towards property intrusion. Between midnight and 6am, the percentage of burglaries rises to 28%, and vehicle crime reaches 15%, its highest point in the 24-hour cycle. Evening hours (6pm-12am) see a significant rise in 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which account for 47% of incidents. Residents should focus on personal safety during the evening and ensure robust home and vehicle security is in place overnight.

In the local context of south Shropshire, Craven Arms (73.5) sits between the larger town of Ludlow, which has a higher crime rate of 86.8, and the quieter Church Stretton, which recorded 36.7. For residents looking for the most peaceful environments in the region, nearby Leintwardine and Bedstone both reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. Craven Arms therefore serves as a central hub with a crime rate that reflects its role as a local commercial and transport point, maintaining a profile that is busier than the surrounding villages but safer than the nearest large town.

With a property crime rate of 16.0 per 1,000 people and a 9.3% increase in overall crime, residents of Craven Arms should consider the benefits of advanced home security. Traditional systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are often reactive. They notify you or record footage only after a break-in has occurred. In a town where burglary and vehicle crime peak during the quiet night hours, a proactive approach is far more effective. scOS is an AI-powered operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By watching all your cameras simultaneously with intelligent detection, scOS identifies potential threats at your property boundary. It can distinguish between a family member and a stranger, and even verify vehicle plates. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond with lights and audio alerts, deterring the intruder before they can cause damage. For Craven Arms homeowners, shifting from reactive recording to proactive AI protection is the best way to ensure your property remains secure in a changing crime landscape.