Montacute Crime Rate

Montacute Crime Overview

Montacute is a safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 77.1 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 93.1. This is reflected in its safety score of 82/100, indicating that it is safer than 82% of the country. Residents can be encouraged by the fact that the crime rate has decreased by 39.6% year-over-year, showing a significant positive trend in local security. The property crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 people is also lower than the national average. These figures suggest that Montacute is a secure place to live, with crime levels well below national benchmarks. The following data explores the specific types and timing of crime in the area.

Crime Breakdown in Montacute

In Montacute, the most common crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 42.2% of all reported incidents. Shoplifting is also a significant concern, representing 20.0% of the total, followed by public order offences at 10.0%. Criminal damage and arson make up 8.9% of the local crime volume.

The property crime rate in Montacute is 29.1 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 32.9. Shoplifting is the most frequent property crime, followed by other theft (5.6%) and criminal damage. Burglary and vehicle crime are both very rare, each accounting for just 1.1% of total crime (1 incident each). For residents, these statistics suggest that while interpersonal and retail-related offences are the primary concern, the risk to residential property and vehicles is relatively low. Homeowners should still be mindful of shoplifting and other theft, which can affect the local business environment and general security.

Montacute Crime Trends

Montacute has seen a significant 39.6% decrease in total crime over the last year, which is a very positive trend for the community. Monthly data from 2025 shows that the crime rate has fluctuated, with a significant peak of 18.9 per 1,000 in December 2024.

However, the rate has generally remained lower in 2025, with a low of 0.9 in November 2024 and 1.7 in June 2025. The rate increased slightly towards the end of the year, reaching 8.6 in July and then settling back down to 2.6 in October. While there has been some monthly volatility, the overall downward trend is a strong indicator of an improving security environment in Montacute.

How To Keep Safe in Montacute

The most common crime type in Montacute is violence and sexual offences. Personal safety and community awareness are key to maintaining a secure environment.

1. Stay Aware in Public: When walking through the village, especially at night, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit, populated routes.
2. Retail Security: For local businesses, ensuring good lighting, CCTV, and trained staff can help deter shoplifting, which is the second highest crime type.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: Reporting ASB and public order offences helps local authorities understand where to focus their resources.
4. Community Watch: Engaging with a local neighbourhood watch or community group can help keep you informed about recent incidents and safety tips.
5. Secure Your Property: Even with low burglary rates, ensuring windows and doors are locked and using motion-activated lighting can deter criminal damage.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Montacute

Crime in Montacute is concentrated during daylight hours, particularly regarding theft. In the morning, theft accounts for 46% of all reported crimes, rising to 51% in the afternoon. This suggests that the majority of theft in the village is opportunistic and occurs when people are active or away from their homes during the day.

As the day turns to night, the pattern shifts. While theft drops to 12% of incidents between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime reaches its highest proportional level, accounting for 16% of night-time offences. Burglary also reaches its highest proportion at night, accounting for 10% of offences. The "other" crime category, which includes violence and ASB, remains high throughout the evening and night, peaking at 71% in the evening. For residents, this data highlights two distinct risks: opportunistic theft during the day and a heightened risk to vehicles and property intrusion during the quietest hours of the night.

Local Context and Comparisons

Montacute sits in a varied crime landscape within South Somerset. While its crime rate of 77.1 is lower than the national average, it is higher than some of its immediate neighbours. It is safer than the nearby major town of Yeovil (107.9), but has a higher crime frequency than nearby Odcombe (55.7), Stoke sub Hamdon (36.4), and Norton sub Hamdon (60.3). The nearby parish of Tintinhull reported 0.0 crimes. This highlights Montacute as an area of moderate activity compared to its most rural neighbours, though it remains a much safer alternative to the region's larger towns.

Proactive Security in Montacute

While Montacute is generally safe, with a property crime rate of 29.1 per 1,000 people, the prevalence of shoplifting and violence suggests that residents and local businesses should take security seriously. Traditional security systems like basic CCTV are often reactive—they only show you what happened after the event. In an area where theft and public order offences are common, proactive protection is a much more effective strategy.

The scOS operating system offers this by using AI to detect threats at your property boundary. Rather than just recording a theft, scOS can identify suspicious activity in real-time and intervene autonomously with lights and audible warnings. Its multi-camera intelligence means it monitors every angle simultaneously, never missing a detail. For Montacute homeowners and businesses, this professional-grade deterrence is vital. It signals to potential offenders that your property is actively protected, often causing them to move on before they even attempt a theft. In an area with a moderate theft rate, scOS provides the prevention that traditional systems lack.