Shrewsbury Crime Rate

Shrewsbury is a historic county town with a safety score of 80/100, placing it slightly above the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate in Shrewsbury is 86.7 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 91.6. Encouragingly, the recent trend shows that crime is decreasing, with a -5.7% change year-over-year. This downward trajectory suggests that Shrewsbury is becoming a safer place for its 81,707 residents. While the town maintains a lower crime profile than many urban centres, it still faces typical urban challenges. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, time patterns, and safety suggestions for the Shrewsbury area.

Crime Breakdown in Shrewsbury

In Shrewsbury, the most frequent crime type is 'Violence and sexual offences', which accounts for 2,618 incidents, or 37.0% of the total recorded crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (18.5%) and shoplifting (11.0%). These figures reflect the typical challenges of a busy county town with a significant retail sector and active evening economy.

Property crime in Shrewsbury—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 27.3 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average of 32.2, which is positive for local residents. Within this category, shoplifting is the most prevalent, followed by criminal damage and arson. Burglary rates are relatively low at 2.5 per 1,000 people. For homeowners and business owners in Shrewsbury, these stats suggest that while violent crime is the most reported, property-related risks are largely opportunistic. Protecting retail premises and ensuring residential properties have visible deterrents are key to maintaining the town's safety score of 80/100.

Shrewsbury is experiencing a positive trend in safety, with the overall crime rate decreasing by -5.7% year-over-year. This indicates that the town is becoming safer for its residents. Monthly data from 2025 reveals some fluctuations; the year began with a rate of 7.0 per 1,000 in January and saw a peak of 8.4 in April. This was followed by a general decline throughout the late summer and autumn.

The lowest crime rate was recorded in September at 6.2 per 1,000, with the year closing at 6.6 in December. This downward trajectory is a strong indicator of effective local policing and community safety initiatives. For residents, this trend provides reassurance that crime is being managed effectively, though the spring peak suggests that seasonal factors may still influence temporary increases in criminal activity.

How To Keep Safe in Shrewsbury

The most prevalent crime type in Shrewsbury is 'Violence and sexual offences', which accounts for 37.0% of all recorded incidents. While this is a broad category, it highlights the need for awareness, particularly in the town centre during busy periods.

To stay safe, always plan your journeys, especially if you are out during the evening or night when these incidents are more likely. Stick to well-lit, main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas like the Quarry or riverside paths late at night. If you are out with friends, stay together and look out for one another.

Given that shoplifting and other thefts are also significant, remain vigilant with your personal belongings in crowded shopping areas. For homeowners, the fact that burglary and vehicle crime peak during the night means that securing your property before bed is essential. Ensure all doors, windows, and gates are locked, and consider installing motion-activated lighting to deter opportunistic intruders in residential neighbourhoods.

In Shrewsbury, crime patterns fluctuate significantly throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, particularly shoplifting, as the town's retail areas are most active. During the afternoon, theft accounts for 41% of crimes. As evening approaches, the nature of crime shifts toward 'other' categories, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which peak at 63% between 6pm and midnight.

The night hours (12am - 6am) see a marked change in property crime. Vehicle crime reaches its highest percentage of the day at 22%, and burglary also peaks at 19% during this period. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely commercial and opportunistic, the night presents a higher risk for residential and vehicle security. Residents are advised to be particularly mindful of home and car security during these late-night and early-morning hours.

Shrewsbury serves as the primary urban hub for the surrounding region, and its crime rate of 86.7 per 1,000 reflects this status. When compared to nearby areas, it has a significantly higher rate than Bayston Hill (32.2) and Hanwood (49.6). Other very close neighbours, such as Lythbank and Condover, report a crime rate of 0.0 in this dataset. These comparisons highlight that while Shrewsbury is statistically safer than the UK average, it is the most active area for crime locally. Residents of the surrounding villages often travel to Shrewsbury for work and leisure, which contributes to the town's higher incident volume compared to its quieter rural neighbours.

In Shrewsbury, where the property crime rate is 27.3 per 1,000, homeowners should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV or doorbell cameras are reactive; they provide you with footage of a burglary after it has already occurred. This might help with a police report, but it doesn't prevent the loss or the intrusion.

For those seeking true peace of mind, a proactive approach is required. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that prevents crime before it happens. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies threats at the property boundary. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously engage them with lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise. In a town like Shrewsbury, where burglaries are often opportunistic, this level of professional deterrence is highly effective. scOS doesn't just record the event—it intervenes in real-time to ensure your home remains secure.