Balsham Crime Rate

Balsham is an exceptionally safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 31.9 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. The area boasts a high safety score of 92/100. Recent data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a stable trend, with crime rising slightly by 2.3% year-over-year. Property crime is recorded at a low 11.3 per 1,000 residents, encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of local crime types, timing patterns, and practical safety advice to help residents maintain their security in this exceptionally safe environment.

In Balsham, the top three crime types are violence and sexual offences (35.6%), anti-social behaviour (17.8%), and vehicle crime, which is a significant factor at 13.3%. Other theft also contributes 11.1%. Property crime overall—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts—stands at 11.3 per 1,000 residents. Burglary accounts for 4.4% of total incidents. For residents and homeowners, these figures indicate a very safe environment where the main concerns are social behaviour and vehicle security. The low property crime rate is a strong positive for the village.

Balsham has maintained a stable crime trend, with a minor 2.3% increase in total offences over the last year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate fluctuated, with a peak of 6.4 per 1,000 in July 2025 and a rate of 4.3 in February and September 2025. However, for much of the year, the rate stayed low, with June and August recording just 0.7 and several months around 1.4. This overall stability is a strong indicator of a very safe and consistent safety landscape. The recent low figures suggest that the village is generally secure.

How To Keep Safe in Balsham

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Balsham, though the overall risk remains low. To enhance your personal safety, try to stay in well-lit, populated areas when walking at night and trust your instincts in unfamiliar situations. Carrying a personal alarm can provide extra peace of mind.

For property security, be aware that theft is a significant daytime risk, with 46% of incidents occurring in the morning and 57% in the afternoon. Ensure your home is secure when you are out, using timers for internal lights. Vehicle crime is a very high concern at night, accounting for a massive 64% of incidents between 12am and 6am. Always park in a garage or well-lit area, and never leave valuables inside your car. Consider installing a proactive security system like scOS that monitors your property boundaries and can verify vehicles, helping to prevent theft before it occurs. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch can also help the community stay vigilant and report suspicious activity early.

Crime timing in Balsham follows clear patterns. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, accounting for 46-57% of crimes in those periods. Burglary risk is present throughout the day, with similar percentages across all periods. As the night falls, vehicle crime becomes the dominant issue between 12am and 6am, accounting for a massive 64% of incidents in that window. This suggests that while theft is a daytime risk, vehicles are most at risk overnight when the village is quietest.

In the local context, Balsham (31.9) has a slightly higher crime rate than nearby West Wratting (27.8) but is safer than Linton (44.7). It contrasts with the very small rural settlements of West Wickham and Horseheath, which reported zero crimes in the same period. This positions Balsham as an area with typical village activity compared to its smaller neighbours, but it remains an exceptionally safe choice when compared to national figures. For those looking at the region, Balsham offers a secure community feel with a safety profile that is vastly better than national averages.

With property crime at a low 11.3 per 1,000 and vehicle crime being a notable issue, Balsham residents are in a good position. However, to maintain this and protect against the vehicle crimes that do occur (peaking at night at a high 64%), proactive protection is the best approach. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they record footage of an event but do nothing to stop it. scOS provides a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. By identifying potential intruders or suspicious vehicles before they reach your home, scOS can trigger autonomous responses such as lights and speakers to deter them. This intelligent, real-time intervention is far more effective than simply having a recording of a crime after the fact.