Ambleside Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Ambleside

Ambleside, an urban settlement within South Lakeland, registers an overall crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure positions Ambleside as notably safer than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000 residents. The town also boasts a commendable safety score of 85 out of 100, surpassing the national average of 78. Furthermore, Ambleside is experiencing a positive trend, with a 28.0% decrease in its crime rate year-over-year. These statistics paint a picture of a relatively secure area, providing a strong basis for a deeper exploration of its specific crime patterns and local context.

Crime Breakdown in Ambleside

In Ambleside, the crime statistics show that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 45.7% of all reported crimes with 80 incidents (26.8 per 1,000 people). Public order offences follow, making up 10.3% (18 incidents), with Shoplifting at 9.7% (17 incidents). These three categories collectively represent the majority of criminal activity in the area.

For property-related crime, which includes burglary, other theft, shoplifting, and criminal damage and arson, Ambleside records a rate of 17.7 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, there were 6 burglaries (2.0 per 1,000), 16 other thefts (5.4 per 1,000), 17 shoplifting incidents (5.7 per 1,000), and 14 criminal damage and arson incidents (4.7 per 1,000). These figures suggest a lower risk of property crime for residents and businesses in Ambleside compared to the national picture, though consistent vigilance and security measures remain important.

Crime Trends in Ambleside

Ambleside has experienced a highly positive shift in its crime rates, with a substantial decrease of 28.0% year-over-year. This significant downward trend highlights a considerable improvement in the town's safety profile over the past twelve months. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 people have shown fluctuations, ranging from 0.3 in September 2025 to 6.7 in November 2024. Despite these monthly variations, the overall year-on-year reduction indicates that Ambleside is becoming a significantly safer place. This sustained decrease provides considerable reassurance to its residents, reinforcing the town's positive safety score.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Ambleside

Crime patterns in Ambleside show distinct variations throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is highly prevalent, accounting for 60% of incidents, with burglary at 11%. This suggests opportunistic crimes targeting commercial areas and unattended properties. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) continues to see high theft rates at 60% and burglaries at 17%, likely due to peak shopping hours and increased opportunities. As evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'Other' crimes become dominant at 53%, with theft at 28% and burglary at 19%, suggesting a rise in public order or miscellaneous incidents as social activities increase. Night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a high proportion of 'Other' crimes at 51% and burglary at 30%, highlighting that properties are particularly vulnerable during hours of darkness and reduced public presence.

Local Crime Context: Ambleside and Surrounding Areas

When considering Ambleside's crime statistics, comparing them with nearby settlements such as Grasmere, Hawkshead, Windermere, and Bowness-on-Windermere provides valuable local context. Ambleside has an overall crime rate of 58.6 per 1,000 people and a safety score of 85/100, indicating it is safer than the UK average. Grasmere and Hawkshead typically exhibit lower crime rates, reflecting their smaller populations and more tranquil environments. Windermere also presents a lower crime rate, while Bowness-on-Windermere, a more tourist-centric area, has a higher crime rate. This comparison helps residents understand Ambleside's standing within its immediate local environment, positioning it as a relatively safe hub amidst varying local profiles.

Protecting Your Home in Ambleside

With Ambleside's property crime rate of 17.7 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average, residents should still prioritise robust home security. Traditional CCTV systems typically only record a burglary after it has occurred, offering a reactive response. For genuine peace of mind, proactive prevention is essential – stopping threats at your property's boundary before they escalate into an incident.

For those seeking advanced protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a transformative approach. It prevents crime before it happens by intelligently detecting threats at your property line using multi-camera intelligence. Unlike reactive systems, scOS doesn't just notify you after an incident; it intervenes in real-time. Features such as pattern learning mean it recognises your routines and only alerts on real threats. This professional-grade deterrence, with lights activating and speakers engaging, destroys the element of surprise for potential intruders, making them reconsider within the critical 60-second decision window. Investing in such proactive security ensures your home is seriously protected against property-related crime.