South Kesteven Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in South Kesteven

South Kesteven presents a notable picture of safety, with an overall crime rate of 69.1 per 1,000 people per year. This figure places the area as significantly safer when compared to the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000 residents. The area's safety is further underscored by a strong safety score of 85 out of 100, comfortably above the national average of 78. Recent data indicates a stable trend, with a slight decrease of 4.0% in the year-over-year crime rate, suggesting a consistent environment for residents. This overview provides a foundation for a deeper dive into the specific crime types and trends affecting South Kesteven.

About South Kesteven

South Kesteven is a predominantly rural and suburban district in Lincolnshire, characterised by its market towns like Grantham, Stamford, and Bourne, alongside numerous villages. The area's tranquil nature and strong community ties in many of its settlements contribute to its generally lower crime rates compared to more urbanised regions. Key activities include agriculture, light industry, and local retail, with transport hubs like the A1 and East Coast Main Line running through the district, connecting it to larger cities. While these transport links facilitate movement, they can also occasionally present opportunities for transient crime. The population density is relatively low across much of the district, fostering a sense of community and vigilance that can deter certain types of offences. The local economy is diverse, with a mix of small businesses and larger employers, which generally supports community stability. These combined factors help shape the area's crime landscape, often resulting in a safer environment than national averages suggest.

Crime Type Analysis in South Kesteven

An analysis of crime types in South Kesteven reveals that 'Violence and sexual offences' constitute the most frequent category, accounting for 3,541 crimes, or 34.8% of the total, at a rate of 24.1 per 1,000 people. Following this, 'Anti-social behaviour' is the second most common, with 2,395 reported incidents, representing 23.6% of all crimes at 16.3 per 1,000 residents. 'Shoplifting' ranks as the third most prevalent offence, with 866 crimes, making up 8.5% of the total, at a rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people.

When considering property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, robbery, and other theft, South Kesteven recorded a rate of 21.0 per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, burglary accounts for 287 crimes (1.9 per 1,000), vehicle crime for 422 crimes (2.9 per 1,000), and other theft for 584 crimes (4.0 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest that while property crime exists, it is less pervasive than the national picture. However, remaining vigilant and implementing robust security measures, particularly against theft and criminal damage, is always advisable to protect your home and belongings.

Crime Trends in South Kesteven

South Kesteven has experienced a stable year-over-year crime trend, showing a slight decrease of 4.0%. This indicates a consistent effort in maintaining safety levels within the district. Looking at the monthly crime rate per 1,000 people, the data reveals some fluctuations. In late 2024, the crime rate saw 6.0 in October and a peak of 6.6 in November, before dropping to 4.9 in December. The early months of 2025 showed some variation, with 5.4 in January and 4.7 in February, followed by a rise to 5.8 in March and April. The summer months of 2025 saw a gradual increase, reaching 6.3 in July and 6.4 in August, before a slight dip to 6.1 in September. Overall, while there are minor monthly changes, the general trend over the year has remained stable, with no significant spikes or drops. For residents, this stable trend suggests that the crime environment is not deteriorating rapidly, but consistent awareness and adherence to crime prevention advice remain important.

Regional Crime Context

When comparing South Kesteven to its neighbouring areas, a clearer regional crime context emerges. Rutland presents a similar profile, often noted for its low crime rates. Melton, to the west, typically has a slightly higher overall crime rate, reflecting its market town characteristics. North Kesteven, which shares a border, often exhibits comparable crime patterns to South Kesteven, given their similar demographic and geographical makeup. Areas like Boston and South Holland, further east, tend to have higher crime rates, particularly in certain categories, influenced by their more urban centres and specific socio-economic factors. Peterborough, a larger city to the south, naturally experiences a significantly higher crime rate due to its larger population, urban environment, and status as a regional hub. Overall, South Kesteven stands out as a comparatively safer area within this regional context, offering a reassuring environment for its residents.

Protecting Your Property in South Kesteven

Given South Kesteven's property crime rate of 21.0 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average, it is still prudent for homeowners to consider robust security measures. Traditional security approaches often focus on recording incidents after they occur, such as basic CCTV systems that merely provide footage of a burglary. However, a proactive approach to home security can significantly change the outcome.

Instead of simply documenting a crime, modern AI-powered systems like scOS are designed to prevent it from happening in the first place. These systems detect threats at your property boundary, acting before an intruder even attempts a break-in. Multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, constantly monitoring all cameras simultaneously, unlike human guards who might miss details. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while pattern learning helps the system distinguish between family members, deliveries, and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. When a real threat is detected, autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers can destroy the element of surprise, often causing intruders to move on within seconds. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, making your property a less attractive target and providing a significant advantage over reactive DIY solutions that only notify you after the fact. The right security system makes that 60-second decision easy for potential burglars – they move on.