Ancaster Crime Rate

Ancaster is one of the safest settlements in South Kesteven, featuring an impressively low crime rate of 33.1 per 1,000 residents. This performance is well below the UK average of 91.7, resulting in a high safety score of 93/100. Even more encouraging is the recent trend data, which shows a significant 22.8% decrease in crime year-over-year. This sharp decline indicates that Ancaster is actively becoming safer, making it an ideal location for those prioritising security. With low rates of property crime and a peaceful community atmosphere, Ancaster offers a level of safety that far exceeds national and regional norms.

Crime in Ancaster

Crime in Ancaster is primarily led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.1% of all recorded incidents (11.3 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 22.7%, followed by shoplifting and public order offences, each at 9.1%. This distribution suggests that while personal and social conduct issues exist, they occur at a relatively low frequency.

Regarding property crime, Ancaster boasts a very low rate of 9.8 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, and is significantly below the UK average of 32.3. Burglary is particularly rare, representing only 2.3% of total crime, while vehicle crime stands at 4.5%. For residents, this means that the threat to homes and personal property is minimal. The presence of shoplifting (9.1%) indicates some commercial-related crime, but for the average homeowner, Ancaster remains an exceptionally secure place to live with very low levels of serious property-related offences.

Crime Trends in Ancaster

Ancaster is experiencing a very positive trend in community safety, with a substantial -22.8% year-over-year decrease in total crime. This significant reduction suggests that local safety initiatives or changing community factors are successfully lowering the crime rate. Examining the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 reveals some interesting patterns.

The year started with exceptionally low rates of 0.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in both December and January. Activity saw a gradual increase through the spring, but remained generally low until a significant spike in September 2025, which reached 6.0. The year concluded with its highest recorded rate in November 2025 at 7.5. Despite these late-year increases, the overall annual trend remains strongly downward. Residents should be encouraged by the 22.8% annual drop, but remain vigilant given the higher activity levels recorded in the final months of the period.

How To Keep Safe in Ancaster

Violence and sexual offences are the most recorded crime type in Ancaster. While the overall numbers are low, personal safety and community awareness are always beneficial.

1. Walk Confidently: When moving through the village at night, stay in well-lit areas and remain aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like mobile phones when walking alone.
2. Secure Commercial Property: With shoplifting at 9.1%, local business owners should ensure they have clear sightlines and modern security systems to deter opportunistic theft.
3. Vehicle Protection: Since vehicle crime is the main overnight threat, always ensure cars are locked, alarms are set, and no valuables are left inside, even for short periods.
4. Report ASB Promptly: Anti-social behaviour is the second most common crime. Reporting it early helps maintain Ancaster’s high safety standards and prevents minor issues from growing.
5. Night-time Home Security: Although burglary is rare, ensure your home is locked and well-lit at night, as 15% of the few burglaries that do occur happen in the early hours.

Crime Timing in Ancaster

The timing of crime in Ancaster shows a distinct shift between daytime and night-time activity. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), the area is primarily affected by theft, which accounts for 60% and 68% of crimes respectively. This suggests that the majority of criminal activity is opportunistic and occurs while the community is most active.

As evening sets in, the crime mix diversifies, with "other" crimes rising to 33% and vehicle crime increasing to 21%. The most notable shift occurs during the night (12am - 6am). While the total volume of crime is low, vehicle crime becomes the dominant issue, representing 48% of all recorded incidents during these hours. Burglary also sees its highest proportional frequency at night (15%). This data indicates that while residents should be mindful of theft during the day, the primary risk to property occurs overnight, specifically targeting vehicles.

In the local context, Ancaster is a very safe hub. It has a lower crime rate (33.1) than nearby Caythorpe (46.9) and Barkston (53.8). While it cannot match the zero-crime reports from the very small neighbouring hamlets of Wilsford, West Willoughby, Greylees, and Byard's Leap, it remains exceptionally secure for a settlement of its size and amenities. For residents looking for a balance between local services and a high degree of safety, Ancaster compares very favourably to other built-up areas in the South Kesteven local authority.

Protecting Your Property in Ancaster

Ancaster enjoys a very low property crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents. However, the data highlights a specific overnight risk: vehicle crime. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 48% of all recorded incidents in the area. This suggests that while your home is generally very safe, cars parked outside are the primary target for opportunistic offenders during the night. Traditional security systems often fail here because they only record the theft as it happens, leaving you with footage but no vehicle.

scOS provides a more advanced, proactive solution for Ancaster homeowners. By using AI-powered intelligence, scOS monitors your driveway and property boundaries, identifying potential thieves before they even touch your car. The system can instantly verify known vehicles and alert you to unknown ones, while autonomous deterrents like lights and speakers can scare off a thief before a crime is committed. In an area like Ancaster, where property crime is rare but specific to night-time vehicle theft, scOS offers the preventative edge needed to keep your property perfectly secure.