Highley Crime Rate

Highley offers a secure residential environment, with an overall crime rate of 56.9 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 91.7, earning the area a strong safety score of 85/100. The local safety trend is moving in a positive direction, with a 5.3% decrease in total crime over the last year. This combination of low crime rates and a downward trend makes Highley one of the safer urban settlements in Shropshire. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns, offering residents and prospective homeowners a clear understanding of the safety landscape and how to best protect their property.

Highley's crime profile is largely dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 109 incidents, representing 51.2% of all recorded crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.7% and criminal damage and arson at 9.9%. These statistics indicate that over half of the reported issues in the area are interpersonal or public order-related, rather than property theft.

Property crime in Highley, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 14.2 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, criminal damage and arson are the most frequent, followed by other theft (6.1%) and vehicle crime (4.7%). Burglary is relatively rare, accounting for only 2.8% of total crime. For residents, this suggests that while the risk of break-ins is low, property is more likely to be affected by vandalism or opportunistic outdoor theft. Homeowners should therefore focus on external security and the protection of vehicles and garden property to mitigate the most common local risks.

Highley's crime trend is currently decreasing, with a 5.3% reduction in total offences compared to the previous year. A review of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively stable pattern with some seasonal variation. The year began with a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 in December, followed by lower rates in early spring. A significant peak occurred in July, reaching 6.7 per 1,000, and another in September at 6.4. These peaks likely correlate with increased outdoor activity during the summer months. However, the year ended on a downward trend, with November recording a rate of 4.0. This overall decrease is a positive indicator of Highley's sustained safety and the effectiveness of local community policing.

How To Keep Safe in Highley

The most prevalent crime type in Highley is violence and sexual offences. To enhance your personal safety, always be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking in quieter areas or during evening hours. If possible, stick to well-lit routes and let someone know your expected arrival time. Since criminal damage is also a notable category, consider installing motion-activated security lighting around your property and ensuring that vehicles are parked in garages or well-lit driveways. Bicycles and garden equipment should be securely locked away when not in use. Maintaining a good relationship with neighbours can also help, as a community that looks out for one another is often a significant deterrent to opportunistic crime. Reporting any suspicious activity to the local police promptly is essential for keeping Highley safe.

Crime in Highley follows distinct patterns throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is the most frequent offence, accounting for 41% and 45% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crime is most common during active daylight hours. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, rise to 56%. The most notable shift occurs at night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime peaks at 32% and burglary reaches 18%. These overnight trends indicate that while personal and public order crimes are more common in the evening, residential and vehicle security are under the greatest threat during the early hours of the morning.

Within the local Shropshire region, Highley's safety profile is very favourable compared to national standards, though it varies against its immediate neighbours. Nearby Alveley has a lower crime rate of 22.1 per 1,000, while Quatford, Trimpley, and Oldbury (Shropshire) all recorded 0.0 crimes, representing exceptionally quiet rural areas. Highley's rate of 56.9 is higher due to its larger population and local amenities, but it remains a very safe choice for residents. It serves as a central hub for the surrounding villages, providing a secure balance between community activity and residential peace.

Highley's property crime rate of 14.2 per 1,000 residents is less than half the national average, but the prevalence of criminal damage and vehicle crime suggests that proactive measures are still beneficial. Many traditional security systems are reactive, providing footage of an incident only after it has occurred. This often leaves homeowners with evidence but no way to have prevented the damage or theft.

scOS changes this dynamic by offering proactive, AI-powered protection. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify a potential threat at the edge of your property boundary. If someone approaches your vehicle or property with ill intent, the system can autonomously activate lights or speakers to deter them immediately. This real-time intervention is far more effective at preventing crime than a simple recording. For Highley residents, upgrading to an autonomous security system like scOS means moving from documenting crime to stopping it before it starts, ensuring your home remains a safe haven in this low-crime area.