Windermere Crime Rate

Windermere, a world-renowned destination in the Lake District, is one of the safest urban settlements in the UK. It boasts an overall crime rate of 40.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 93.1. This exceptional performance results in a safety score of 90/100, far exceeding the UK benchmark of 78. While the local crime trend shows a year-over-year increase of 17.9%, this is from a very low starting point and does not significantly impact the town's overall security. As a major tourism hub, Windermere experiences seasonal fluctuations, but its residential areas remain remarkably safe. This analysis provides a detailed look at the local crime statistics, helping residents and visitors understand the safety landscape in this picturesque town.

In Windermere, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 44.2% of all reports. Criminal damage and arson follow at 12.0%, with public order offences at 10.0%. Property crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 13.2 per 1,000 residents. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.9, making Windermere one of the safer urban settlements for property owners. Burglary specifically accounts for only 2.4% of total crime, while vehicle crime is even lower at 1.7%. For residents, this means that while interpersonal and community-level issues are the most frequent, the statistical risk of experiencing a break-in or vehicle-related offence is significantly lower than in most other parts of the country.

Crime in Windermere is currently increasing, with a year-over-year rise of 17.9%. Detailed monthly trendData shows a relatively stable pattern with a notable peak in August 2025 (4.6 per 1,000) and April 2025 (4.2). The town experienced its lowest crime rates in November 2024 (2.3 per 1,000) and July 2025 (2.7). The most recent data for October 2025 shows a rate of 3.2 per 1,000, which is slightly above the annual average but still remarkably low. This trend suggests that while there has been a moderate increase in activity, Windermere remains an exceptionally safe environment by national standards.

How To Keep Safe in Windermere

The most frequent crime in Windermere is violence and sexual offences, often linked to the town's vibrant tourism and hospitality sectors. To maintain personal safety, stay aware of your surroundings, particularly when in the town centre during the evening. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid shortcuts through unlit paths or parks after dark.

Property owners should be mindful of the 17.9% increase in crime over the last year. Ensure that all doors and windows are locked, even when you are at home. Given that vehicle crime and burglary risks are slightly higher at night, car owners should park in a garage or a well-lit driveway if possible. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are also present (12.0% and 5.9% respectively), so reporting any disruptive activity to local police can help maintain the town's exceptional safety standards. Finally, visible security measures like motion-activated lighting can be a powerful deterrent for opportunistic offenders who may target the area's more secluded properties. In a town as safe as Windermere, simple precautions go a long way in ensuring continued peace of mind.

Windermere's crime patterns show distinct variation by time of day. Morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) periods see a high concentration of theft (47% and 49% respectively), likely linked to the town's retail and tourism activity. As the day shifts into evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, become the primary concern at 64%. The night-time (12am - 6am) sees a shift in the risk profile, with vehicle crime rising to 18% and burglary to 14% of the few offences reported during those hours. This indicates that while daytime risks are opportunistic and retail-focused, the night-time poses a specific threat to vehicles and residential property.

In the context of the South Lakeland region, Windermere is exceptionally safe. Its crime rate of 40.4 is far lower than nearby Bowness-on-Windermere (214.3), which experiences much higher levels of tourism-related crime. It is also comparable to Staveley (31.5). While rural neighbours like Storrs and Hawkshead report 0.0 crimes per 1,000, these are much smaller settlements. For those seeking an urban settlement in the Lake District, Windermere offers an outstanding balance of local amenities and high safety standards, making it a premier choice for residents and visitors alike.

Windermere's property crime rate of 13.2 per 1,000 is among the lowest in the country, but the recent 17.9% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should not be complacent. The temporal data reveals that while crime is rare, vehicle crime and burglary risks are highest at night. Traditional security systems, which often only record an event, provide little comfort when a crime is in progress. The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. By monitoring all cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies suspicious behaviour in real-time and can autonomously engage deterrents like lights and speakers. This destroys the element of surprise that opportunistic criminals rely on. For Windermere homeowners, this proactive AI protection ensures that their property remains as safe as the surrounding community, providing a level of security that traditional reactive systems simply cannot match.