Merriott Crime Rate

Merriott is a highly secure urban settlement located in South Somerset, boasting an impressive safety score of 92/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 35.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The crime trend in Merriott is currently stable, showing a negligible 1.1% decrease year-over-year, indicating a consistent and predictable safety environment. With a population of approximately 2,541, the community benefits from low property crime rates (13.8 per 1,000) compared to the national average of 32.9. This data suggests that Merriott remains one of the safer residential choices in the region, offering peace of mind to its residents through consistently low levels of criminal activity.

Crime in Merriott

The most frequent reports in Merriott concern violence and sexual offences, which make up 33.3% of the total crime volume. This is closely followed by a three-way tie between other theft, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage and arson, each accounting for 16.7% of incidents. This distribution indicates that crime in Merriott is relatively evenly spread across interpersonal, community, and property-related issues.

The overall property crime rate stands at 13.8 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, other theft and criminal damage are the most common concerns. Burglary remains rare, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents (3.3% of total crimes). For homeowners, this means that while the risk of a serious break-in is low, there is a persistent level of opportunistic theft and damage to property. Maintaining clear boundaries and visible security can help mitigate these lower-level but frustrating offences.

Crime Trends in Merriott

The crime trend in Merriott is currently classified as stable, with a minor 1.1% decrease in total incidents year-over-year. This consistency is a positive indicator for residents, suggesting that the area's high safety standards are being maintained. Monthly data shows a relatively low and steady rate, with minor fluctuations typical of a small population.

In the past year, crime rates reached a peak of 4.3 per 1,000 residents in both January and October 2025. Conversely, the lowest activity was recorded in June 2025, with only 1.2 crimes per 1,000 people. These variations are small in absolute terms but provide insight into seasonal patterns. The overall stability of the trend, combined with the low property crime rate, reinforces Merriott's reputation as a secure and reliable place to live. Residents can take confidence in the fact that local crime levels are not currently on an upward trajectory.

How To Keep Safe in Merriott

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Merriott, although the overall volume remains low. Personal safety and community vigilance are the best tools for maintaining the village's secure atmosphere.

1. Keep to well-lit routes when walking through the village at night and try to stay in groups if possible.
2. Be a proactive neighbour; joining or supporting a local neighbourhood watch can help keep anti-social behaviour and opportunistic crime at bay.
3. Secure your property boundaries with clear fencing and motion-activated lighting to prevent unwanted loitering or criminal damage.
4. Report any unusual activity to the South Somerset police promptly; early reporting helps local officers identify patterns before they become larger issues.
5. Ensure all outbuildings, such as sheds and garages, are fitted with high-quality locks, as these are often targets for "other theft" in rural-fringe areas.

Crime Timing in Merriott

Crime in Merriott follows a very specific temporal pattern, with the majority of activity occurring during daylight hours. The morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) periods see the highest concentration of theft-related offences, making up 61% and 65% of reports respectively. This suggests that opportunistic thieves may be active when residents are at work or shopping, targeting homes and vehicles that appear unattended.

In contrast, the evening and night hours see a shift in the type of crime reported. During the evening (6pm-12am), "other" crime types, including anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, rise to 61%. Overnight (12am-6am), while the total volume of crime is very low, burglary and vehicle crime account for a higher percentage of incidents (11% and 9% respectively) than during the day. This indicates that while Merriott is generally safe, property owners should be particularly mindful of overnight security to protect against these specific threats.

In the context of South Somerset, Merriott is positioned as a very safe residential option. Its crime rate of 35.4 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby town of Crewkerne, which sees a much higher rate of 89.3. It is also slightly safer than Haselbury Plucknett (38.9). While Merriott is more active than the tiny, zero-crime villages of Hinton St George and West Chinnock, it provides a balanced environment for those seeking a safe settlement with more local amenities. For residents and potential movers, Merriott offers a high level of security that far exceeds the national average while sitting comfortably within a cluster of very safe Somerset villages.

Merriott’s safety score of 92/100 reflects a community where crime is the exception rather than the rule. However, with property crime accounting for 13.8 incidents per 1,000 people, maintaining that security requires a modern approach. Most traditional security systems are reactive; they record a burglary as it happens, providing footage after the damage is done. For residents in Merriott, proactive protection is a more effective strategy.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system designed to prevent crime before it occurs. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect a potential intruder before they even reach your door. It learns your family’s routines and identifies genuine threats instantly, ignoring false alarms. If a threat is detected, scOS can autonomously engage lights and speakers to deter the individual. This "proactive vs reactive" shift is crucial; most burglars will move on within 60 seconds if they realise they have been detected. In a quiet area like Merriott, scOS ensures your property remains a hard target.