Kendal Crime Rate

Understanding Crime in Kendal

Kendal, a notable urban settlement within South Lakeland, records an overall crime rate of 68.5 per 1,000 people per year. This figure places Kendal as significantly safer when compared to the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000 residents. The town also boasts a commendable safety score of 81 out of 100, surpassing the national average of 78. Furthermore, Kendal is experiencing a positive trend, with a 13.0% decrease in its crime rate year-over-year. These statistics highlight Kendal as a relatively secure area, providing a strong foundation for a deeper examination of its specific crime patterns and local context.

Crime Breakdown in Kendal

In Kendal, the crime statistics show that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 45.3% of all reported crimes with 976 incidents (31.1 per 1,000 people). Public order offences follow, making up 10.6% (229 incidents), and Criminal damage and arson contributes 8.6% (186 incidents). These three categories collectively represent a substantial portion of the criminal activity in the area.

For property-related crime, which includes burglary, other theft, shoplifting, vehicle crime, and bicycle theft, Kendal has a rate of 19.6 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific figures show 60 burglaries (1.9 per 1,000), 110 other thefts (3.5 per 1,000), 168 shoplifting incidents (5.3 per 1,000), and 46 vehicle crimes (1.5 per 1,000). These statistics indicate a lower risk of property crime for residents and businesses in Kendal compared to the national picture, though vigilance and robust security practices remain prudent.

Crime Trends in Kendal

Kendal has demonstrated a positive trajectory in its crime rates, experiencing a significant decrease of 13.0% year-over-year. This downward trend suggests a continuous improvement in the town's safety profile over the past twelve months. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 people have shown some fluctuations, starting at 6.0 in October 2024 and generally remaining between 4.7 and 7.6. Notable dips occurred in February 2025 (4.7) and April 2025 (5.7), while peaks were observed in March 2025 (7.1) and June 2025 (7.6). Despite these monthly variations, the overall year-on-year reduction indicates that Kendal is becoming a safer place, offering reassurance to its residents.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Kendal

Crime patterns in Kendal show distinct variations throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are prominent, accounting for 43% of crimes, alongside 9% burglaries and 7% vehicle crimes. This often reflects commercial activity and unattended properties during commutes. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain high at 45% and burglary at 15%, likely due to peak shopping hours and increased opportunities for opportunistic crime. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the landscape shifts, with "Other" crimes dominating at 62%, alongside 18% theft and 13% burglary, suggesting a rise in public order or miscellaneous incidents as social activities increase. Night-time (12am-6am) is characterised by a higher proportion of "Other" crimes at 52%, a notable 20% in vehicle crime, and 18% burglary, indicating that properties and vehicles become more vulnerable during hours of darkness and reduced public presence.

Local Crime Context: Kendal and Surrounding Areas

When examining Kendal's crime statistics, it's beneficial to compare its performance against nearby areas to provide a regional context. Kendal has an overall crime rate of 68.5 per 1,000 people and a safety score of 81/100. This compares to Oxenholme, Burneside, Natland, and Summerlands. Oxenholme, Burneside, and Natland generally exhibit lower crime rates and higher safety scores, reflecting their more residential or rural characteristics compared to Kendal, which is a larger urban centre. Kendal's position as a hub for services and commerce naturally leads to a different crime profile. For example, areas like Natland and Burneside, while part of the broader South Lakeland district, typically experience fewer incidents of violence or public order due to lower population density and different activity patterns. This comparison helps residents understand Kendal's standing within its immediate local environment.

Protecting Your Home in Kendal

With Kendal's property crime rate of 19.6 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average, residents should still prioritise effective home security. Simply recording a burglary after it happens, as traditional CCTV systems do, is a reactive measure. For true peace of mind, proactive prevention is key – stopping threats before they escalate into an incident at your property.

Consider an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS, which fundamentally changes the approach to protection. Instead of merely documenting a break-in, scOS actively prevents it by detecting threats at your property boundary using multi-camera intelligence. It learns your family's routines and only alerts on real threats, distinguishing between a delivery and a potential intruder. This professional-grade deterrence, with features like lights activating and speakers engaging, creates an element of surprise that can make a potential burglar move on within their crucial 60-second decision window. Investing in such advanced, proactive security offers a robust defence for your home against property-related crime.