Grasmere Crime Rate

Grasmere, located within the South Lakeland local authority, has an overall crime rate of 86.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a safety score of 77/100, which is nearly aligned with the UK average of 78. However, the area has experienced an increasing trend in crime, with a 7.5% rise year-over-year. With a population of 1,316, the data indicates that while Grasmere remains safer than many parts of the country, the upward trend warrants attention. The following breakdown explores the most common crime types and their timing, providing residents with the insights needed to understand the local safety environment.

Grasmere's crime profile is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which constitute 51.8% of all reports (44.8 per 1,000 residents). Criminal damage and arson follow at 12.3%, with other theft and public order offences both at 7.9%. Property crime—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—totals 28.1 per 1,000 people. While this is below the UK average of 32.9, it remains a significant concern for the local community. The combination of high violence rates and moderate property crime suggests that while Grasmere is generally safe, specific types of incidents are more prevalent than others. Homeowners should be particularly aware of the criminal damage and theft figures, ensuring their properties are well-secured to deter opportunistic offences.

Crime in Grasmere is on an upward trajectory, with a 7.5% increase in total offences over the last year. Monthly analysis reveals significant volatility; July 2025 saw the highest crime rate at 13.7 per 1,000 residents, followed by October 2025 at 10.6. These peaks often coincide with high tourism periods. Conversely, the lowest rate was recorded in March 2025 at just 2.3. The recent data from the latter half of 2025 shows consistently higher figures than the start of the year, suggesting that the "increasing" trend direction is sustained. For residents, this highlights the importance of maintaining consistent security measures regardless of the season.

How To Keep Safe in Grasmere

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Grasmere. To ensure your personal safety in the area, we suggest the following:

1. Be Mindful at Night: When walking through the village or along rural paths after dark, try to stay in groups and stick to well-lit areas where possible.
2. Personal Awareness: Stay alert to your surroundings and avoid distractions like looking at your phone for long periods while walking.
3. Report Incidents: If you witness suspicious behaviour or feel unsafe, report it to the local police. Your reports help them allocate resources to the areas that need them most.
4. Secure Your Property: Given the rate of criminal damage, ensure that your garden gates are locked and any external valuables are moved out of sight to discourage opportunistic vandalism.
5. Community Connection: Engage with local community groups or Neighbourhood Watch schemes to stay informed about recent incidents and safety tips specific to the village.

Grasmere's crime data shows clear temporal trends. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is the primary time for theft, accounting for 52% of offences during this period. In contrast, the evening (6pm - 12am) is dominated by "Other" crimes, which make up 53% of activity. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a significant peak in vehicle crime, representing 42% of all reports during these hours. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) also feature a high percentage of theft (44%). This indicates that daytime risk is largely theft-related, while the early hours of the morning pose the greatest risk to vehicles.

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Grasmere has a higher crime rate at 86.6 per 1,000 residents. It is notably busier in terms of reported crime than Ambleside (68.0), Coniston (50.4), and Windermere (40.4). Hawkshead remains a significant outlier with a reported crime rate of 0.0. This suggests that as a popular hub within the Lake District, Grasmere experiences a higher volume of incidents than smaller or purely residential nearby villages. Those considering the area should view these statistics in the context of Grasmere's role as a primary tourist destination, which often influences local crime data.

Grasmere's property crime rate of 28.1 per 1,000 residents and the recent 7.5% increase in overall crime suggest that traditional security may no longer be sufficient. Standard CCTV systems are essentially record-keeping tools; they provide evidence after a crime has been committed but do little to stop it. For homeowners in Grasmere, scOS offers a proactive alternative. This AI-powered home security operating system is designed to prevent crime by detecting threats at the property boundary. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your home 24/7, identifying unauthorised individuals and distinguishing them from family or deliveries. When a real threat is detected, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lights and speakers, stopping criminals before they attempt a break-in. In an area where vehicle crime peaks at night, scOS's ability to verify vehicle plates and alert you to suspicious activity in real-time provides a level of protection that reactive systems simply cannot match.