Ancaster Crime Rate

Ancaster is a highly secure urban settlement, characterized by an impressive safety score of 93/100 and an overall crime rate of 35.3 per 1,000 people. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, making it one of the safer locations in the South Kesteven area. The village is currently on a positive trajectory, with crime decreasing by 19.0% year-over-year. While violence and anti-social behaviour are the most frequently reported categories, the property crime rate remains low at 12.8 per 1,000. These statistics suggest a peaceful community where residents enjoy a high level of security, although specific patterns in shoplifting and night-time vehicle crime are worth noting. The following analysis provides a deeper look into Ancaster's crime trends and safety recommendations.

Crime in Ancaster

The most common crimes in Ancaster are violence and sexual offences, which make up 29.8% of the total with 14 reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 21.3% (10 crimes) and shoplifting at 14.9% (7 crimes). These figures show a mix of personal safety concerns and commercial-related offences, which is typical for a village that serves as a local hub.

Property crime in Ancaster, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting, occurs at a rate of 12.8 per 1,000 people. Shoplifting is the most significant contributor to this category, but other theft (4 crimes) and vehicle crime (2 crimes) also impact the community. Burglary remains rare, with only 1 incident recorded. For residents, this means that while the risk of a home break-in is statistically very low, there is a moderate risk of opportunistic theft and vehicle-related crime. Protecting vehicles parked on the street and ensuring that garden or outbuilding items are secured are the most practical steps for homeowners in this area.

Ancaster is showing a very positive trend in its crime statistics, with a significant 19.0% decrease in reported offences year-over-year. This substantial drop indicates that the village is becoming safer for its residents. The monthly data for 2025 shows that for much of the year, the crime rate remained very low, often dipping below 1.0 per 1,000 residents in months like January and May.

There were, however, some notable fluctuations. The crime rate peaked in September at 6.0 per 1,000 and reached its highest point in November at 7.5 per 1,000. These spikes were temporary, as the rate dropped back down to 3.0 per 1,000 in December. These short-term increases may be linked to specific local events or a small number of isolated incidents, rather than a systemic rise in crime. Overall, the trend is clearly downward, and the low baseline figures suggest that Ancaster remains a very secure environment.

How To Keep Safe in Ancaster

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ancaster. Although the actual number of incidents is low, taking proactive steps for personal safety is always recommended for residents and visitors alike.

When walking through the village, particularly during the evening or night, try to stay on well-lit paths and avoid isolated shortcuts. Travelling in groups or letting someone know your expected arrival time can provide an extra layer of security. Staying alert and avoiding the use of headphones in quiet areas will help you remain aware of your surroundings.

As anti-social behaviour is also a notable category, residents should report any nuisance activity to the local police. Keeping the exterior of your property well-maintained and using motion-activated lighting can discourage loitering and make your home feel less vulnerable.

For local business owners and residents concerned about shoplifting and theft, ensuring that high-value items are not visible from the street can reduce the risk of opportunistic crime. Installing clear signage that security measures are in place can also act as an effective deterrent for those considering criminal activity.

Crime in Ancaster follows a clear temporal cycle. During the daylight hours, theft and shoplifting are the most prominent issues. In the morning, theft-related offences account for 56% of reports, rising to 63% in the afternoon. This aligns with the village's commercial activity and the times when people are most likely to be out and about.

As evening approaches, the risk profile shifts. While theft drops to 27%, "other" crime types increase to 42%. The most significant change occurs during the night (12am to 6am), where vehicle crime becomes the leading concern, representing 44% of all reported incidents. Burglary also shows a slight increase in frequency during the night compared to the morning hours. These patterns suggest that while daytime crime is largely commercial or opportunistic, night-time crime is focused on unattended vehicles. Residents are advised to prioritize vehicle security overnight and remain vigilant for shoplifting during business hours.

Ancaster sits in a very safe pocket of the South Kesteven region. Its crime rate of 35.3 per 1,000 is notably lower than that of Barkston (51.8) and significantly better than Great Gonerby (71.1). While it is more active than the surrounding rural hamlets of Wilsford, West Willoughby, Greylees, and Byard's Leap—all of which recorded zero crimes—Ancaster’s rate is still remarkably low for a village with its level of amenities and commercial activity. This comparison shows that while Ancaster is a local hub, it has successfully maintained a level of safety that far exceeds the national average and compares favourably to other similar settlements in the district.

With a property crime rate of 12.8 per 1,000 and vehicle crime peaking significantly during the night in Ancaster, choosing the right security system is vital for continued protection. Most people rely on reactive security—doorbell cameras or standard CCTV that simply record a crime while it happens. This often leaves homeowners with nothing but a video of a masked person taking their property.

scOS offers a fundamentally different approach through proactive AI protection. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your entire property boundary simultaneously, identifying suspicious behaviour before a crime is committed. For Ancaster residents, this is particularly effective against night-time vehicle crime; the system can recognize unauthorized individuals near your car and trigger an autonomous response, such as engaging floodlights or audio alerts, to scare them away. Because scOS learns your daily routines and recognizes your family, it only alerts you to real threats. Moving to a proactive AI system means you are no longer just documenting crime, but actively preventing it from reaching your home.