Bowness-on-Windermere Crime Rate

Bowness-on-Windermere Crime Overview

Bowness-on-Windermere is a high-activity urban settlement located in the South Lakeland local authority. It records an overall crime rate of 214.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the UK national average of 93.1. This results in a safety score of 45/100, indicating that the area is less safe than many other UK settlements. The area has also seen a substantial 43.4% increase in crime over the last year. These figures are heavily influenced by the town's status as a major tourist destination, which brings a large transient population and a vibrant nightlife, both of which are factors that typically correlate with higher crime statistics. The following sections detail the specific types of crime reported and their temporal patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Bowness-on-Windermere

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Bowness-on-Windermere, making up 49.7% of all reported incidents. This equates to a high rate of 106.6 per 1,000 residents. The second most frequent category is anti-social behaviour at 8.9%, followed by public order offences at 8.7%. These figures are characteristic of areas with high levels of tourism and nightlife activity.

Property crime in Bowness-on-Windermere—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—occurs at a rate of 50.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 32.9. Shoplifting accounts for 4.5% of total crime, while 'other theft' makes up 6.3%. Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively lower at 2.4% and 2.1% respectively. For residents and business owners, these statistics highlight a high-activity environment where property protection is a serious concern, especially in commercial and high-traffic areas.

Crime Trends in Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere is currently experiencing a significant upward trend in criminal activity, with an overall crime increase of 43.4% year-over-year. This is a substantial rise that warrants attention from the local community and authorities.

The monthly data for late 2024 and 2025 shows a consistently high crime rate, with several notable peaks. The rate jumped to 24.3 in February 2025 and reached its highest point of 24.8 in August 2025, likely coinciding with the peak summer tourist season. Even the lowest month, November 2024, recorded a rate of 13.0, which is high for an area of this size. The most recent data from October 2025 shows a rate of 14.7. These figures suggest that the area is facing ongoing challenges with crime volume, particularly during periods of high visitor numbers.

How To Keep Safe in Bowness-on-Windermere

Violence and sexual offences are the highest reported crime type in Bowness-on-Windermere, often linked to the high volume of visitors and nightlife. Taking proactive steps can help you stay safe in this busy environment.

1. Stay Aware in Crowds: When in busy tourist areas, keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings. Avoid being distracted by your phone or maps for long periods.
2. Plan Your Night Out: If you are enjoying the local nightlife, stay with your group and plan your journey home in advance. Use reputable taxi services and avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas.
3. Secure Your Property: With a high property crime rate, ensure your home or business is well-protected. Use high-quality locks and consider advanced security systems that offer real-time alerts.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you witness anti-social behaviour or suspicious individuals, report it to the local police. In a high-traffic area, early reporting can help authorities manage emerging issues effectively.
5. Protect Your Vehicle: Don't leave any valuables on display in your car. With vehicle crime present, an empty-looking car is a much less attractive target for opportunistic thieves.

Bowness-on-Windermere Time Patterns

Crime in Bowness-on-Windermere follows a pattern typical of a major tourist and nightlife hub. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for approximately 50% of reported activity. This high percentage reflects the busy commercial and shopping environment during peak tourist hours.

As evening falls, the nature of crime shifts toward public order and anti-social behaviour, which account for 56% of incidents during the evening hours (6pm - 12am). This is when the town's bars and restaurants are most active. During the night-time hours (12am - 6am), while violence-related reports are statistically zero in this specific dataset, property-related risks like vehicle crime (27%) and burglary (17%) become more prominent as the town quietens down. Understanding these shifts is crucial for both residents and visitors to stay safe throughout the day and night.

Regional Context: Bowness-on-Windermere

In the regional context of South Lakeland, Bowness-on-Windermere is a significant outlier. Its crime rate of 214.3 per 1,000 is far higher than the neighbouring town of Windermere, which records a much lower rate of 40.4. Other nearby settlements like Staveley (31.5) are also significantly safer. Remarkably, the adjacent areas of Storrs and Hawkshead recorded zero crimes. This stark contrast highlights how concentrated criminal activity can be in local tourist hubs compared to the surrounding residential and rural areas. For those looking at the region, Bowness offers a very different safety profile than its immediate neighbours.

Proactive Security in Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere's property crime rate of 50.8 per 1,000 residents is well above the national average, making property protection a critical concern for homeowners and businesses. In such a high-activity area, traditional reactive security—like basic CCTV that simply records footage—is often not enough to prevent a crime from occurring.

For those who want real security, scOS offers a proactive solution. scOS is an AI-powered security operating system that monitors all your cameras simultaneously, identifying potential threats at your property's boundary in real-time. When scOS detects an unauthorised presence, it can autonomously respond with lights and audio alerts, destroying the element of surprise. This proactive detection is especially effective against the high volume of opportunistic theft and burglary seen in Bowness. By stopping threats before they escalate, scOS provides a level of protection that traditional systems simply cannot match, ensuring your property remains secure in a challenging environment.