Merriott Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Merriott, covering the period of January 2025 to December 2025, indicate a crime rate of 36.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safer environment compared to the national picture. However, while the overall crime rate is favourable, it's important to examine the specific types of crime occurring and the recent trends. The observed decrease of 7.0% year-on-year provides a positive indication, although ongoing monitoring remains crucial to understanding the complexities of crime patterns within the area.

The crime landscape in Merriott is characterised by a concerning prevalence of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.6% of recorded incidents. These were followed by other theft (20.4%), and criminal damage and arson (15.1%). Anti-social behaviour contributes 12.9%, while public order offences make up 5.4% of reported crimes. Vehicle crime, although lower in incidence, represents 3.2% of incidents. The limited number of burglaries (1.1%) and instances of drugs, weapons possession, and other crime suggest these areas may be less significant contributors to the overall crime picture. The distribution of these crimes across different categories highlights potential areas for targeted intervention and community safety initiatives.

Crime in Merriott has been decreasing steadily over the past year, with an overall reduction of 7.0%. Monthly data indicates fluctuations, with January showing a higher rate of 4.3 per 1,000, followed by a significant drop in February to 2.4 per 1,000. The months of April, May, June, October and November showed varying rates of crime. The most recent figures for December show a rate of 3.9 per 1,000. This downward trend is encouraging, but continued vigilance and proactive crime prevention measures are essential to maintain this positive momentum.

How To Keep Safe in Merriott

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be particularly mindful of your surroundings when out alone, especially during the evening. Report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Secure your vehicles properly to prevent theft and damage. Consider joining or forming a neighbourhood watch scheme to foster community vigilance and communication. Finally, ensure your home and property are well-lit and that any vulnerable areas are secured to deter criminal activity.

The distribution of crimes across different times of day in Merriott reveals some interesting patterns. Burglary incidents are slightly more common during the afternoon and evening. Theft tends to peak during commercial hours, suggesting a link to retail activity. Vehicle crime shows a higher incidence overnight, particularly between 11pm and 6am, potentially linked to opportunistic theft. Violence and sexual offences are concentrated in the evening hours, particularly on weekends. Understanding these temporal patterns can help inform targeted preventative measures and resource allocation.

Merriott's crime rate of 36.6 per 1,000 contrasts sharply with the exceptionally low rates observed in nearby Hinton St George (0.0 per 1,000) and West Chinnock (0.0 per 1,000). Crewkerne, however, presents a higher rate at 88.6 per 1,000, highlighting the variability in safety across the South Somerset region. Haselbury Plucknett's rate of 38.9 per 1,000 suggests Merriott sits within a range of crime levels experienced in neighbouring villages, emphasizing the importance of localised safety measures.

Traditional CCTV systems often record footage after a crime has occurred, providing evidence but failing to prevent the incident. Consider a more proactive approach with scOS. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, detects threats at your property boundary, utilising multi-camera intelligence and DVLA vehicle verification to instantly identify potential risks. It learns your routines and distinguishes between family members, deliveries, and genuine threats, triggering autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers. For example, the 60-second decision point for many burglars is critical – the visible deterrence of scOS can be enough to make them reconsider. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively protecting your property with scOS is another.