Swadlincote Crime Rate

Swadlincote, the largest town in South Derbyshire, maintains a crime rate of 88.4 per 1,000 residents, which is marginally lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This urban settlement holds a safety score of 78/100, aligning it with the UK average for safety. The trend direction for Swadlincote is currently stable, showing a 4.5% decrease in total crime year-over-year. As a central hub for shopping and socialising, Swadlincote naturally experiences higher crime volumes than its rural neighbours, yet it remains a statistically safe environment for its 35,817 residents. The following data explores the specific time patterns and crime types that define the local landscape, providing residents with the information needed to stay secure in this busy built-up area.

Crime Breakdown in Swadlincote

Swadlincote's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which represent 44.7% of all recorded incidents, a rate of 39.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 11.9%, followed by shoplifting at 9.7%. The high prevalence of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour is typical for a primary urban settlement and retail hub like Swadlincote.

Property-related crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage, occurs at a combined rate of 25.9 per 1,000 people. Within this category, criminal damage and arson (6.6%) and 'other theft' (5.7%) are the most frequent. Vehicle crime accounts for 3.9% of total incidents, while burglary is relatively low at 2.6%.

For residents, this data indicates that while violent crime is the highest category, much of the day-to-day impact on homeowners comes from property crime and anti-social behaviour. The retail areas of the town centre see significant shoplifting activity, which can spill over into general public order concerns. Homeowners should be particularly aware of the risk of criminal damage and opportunistic theft, which are more prevalent in the built-up areas compared to the surrounding rural parts of South Derbyshire.

Crime Trends in Swadlincote

Swadlincote's crime trend is currently stable, with a 4.5% year-over-year decrease in total recorded incidents. This general downward movement is a positive indicator for the town's safety, despite its position as a major urban centre.

Detailed monthly data shows a clear peak in the spring and early summer of 2025. The crime rate rose from 6.6 in February to a peak of 9.1 in April, remaining high through July (8.3). This seasonal increase is typical for built-up areas, where improved weather leads to higher public interaction and more opportunities for anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft. Notably, the rate dropped significantly in September 2025 to 6.0, before a slight rise in October. For residents, these patterns highlight the need for increased vigilance during the warmer months, while the overall annual decrease suggests that long-term safety initiatives in Swadlincote are having a beneficial effect on the community.

How To Keep Safe in Swadlincote

The most frequent crime in Swadlincote is violence and sexual offences, often associated with the town centre's evening economy. To stay safe, always plan your journey home in advance and try to stay in well-lit areas when walking at night.

Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are also significant, particularly in retail zones. When shopping, keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings in crowded areas. If you witness anti-social behaviour, it is best to avoid confrontation and report the incident to the local authorities.

For homeowners, the data shows that vehicle crime is a persistent issue, particularly at night. Always ensure your vehicle is locked, parked in a well-lit area, or ideally in a garage or behind a secure gate. Using visible deterrents like steering locks can also discourage opportunistic thieves. Finally, consider joining the Swadlincote Neighbourhood Watch to stay informed about local trends and coordinate with your neighbours to maintain a vigilant community presence.

Crime Time Patterns in Swadlincote

Crime in Swadlincote follows distinct temporal patterns influenced by its urban layout. The morning and afternoon periods are heavily weighted towards theft and shoplifting, which makes up 51% of afternoon crime as the town centre reaches peak footfall. This is the time when residents should be most vigilant about personal belongings and retail security.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts significantly. While theft drops to 10% during the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime surges to 42% of all incidents in that period. Burglary also remains a threat during the night-time hours, accounting for 17% of offences. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic and retail-focused, night-time crime is targeted at unattended properties and vehicles. Residents are advised to ensure all property is securely locked before the evening sets in, as the cover of darkness facilitates the majority of the town's vehicle-related offences.

Swadlincote serves as the commercial heart of the local area, and its crime rate of 88.4 per 1,000 reflects this. When compared to nearby Woodville, which has a significantly lower rate of 57.2, it is clear that Swadlincote's retail and social activity drives higher incident numbers. Similarly, Blackfordby (39.3) and Hartshorne (0.0) are much quieter residential settlements. Interestingly, Linton (South Derbyshire) shows a rate of 73.2, which is closer to Swadlincote’s profile. For those living in the region, Swadlincote offers the most amenities but also requires a higher level of personal and property vigilance compared to the smaller, surrounding villages.

Enhancing Property Security in Swadlincote

In a busy urban area like Swadlincote, where the property crime rate is 25.9 per 1,000, homeowners need more than just traditional recording equipment. Standard CCTV and doorbell cameras often only alert you once someone is already at your door, or worse, they simply provide footage of a theft that has already occurred. In Swadlincote, where vehicle crime and criminal damage are notable risks, a proactive approach is vital.

scOS is an AI-powered security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify a potential intruder before they reach your home. Its autonomous response system can activate deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audio warnings, effectively destroying the element of surprise.

For Swadlincote residents, scOS offers professional-grade features such as DVLA vehicle verification and pattern learning, which helps the system distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine threat. By choosing proactive protection over reactive recording, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a statistic in the local property crime data.