Templecombe Crime Rate

Templecombe is a well-connected village in South Somerset with a crime rate of 72.9 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to a solid safety score of 82/100. However, the area has recently experienced a significant upward trend, with total crime increasing by 48.0% year-over-year. This increase suggests that while Templecombe remains safer than many parts of the UK, residents should be increasingly mindful of local security. The following analysis breaks down these statistics by crime type, seasonal trends, and timing, providing a comprehensive view of the safety landscape in Templecombe to help residents and homeowners make informed decisions about their protection.

In Templecombe, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.8% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.0% and shoplifting at 10.3%. These three categories represent the most significant areas of police activity in the village. Property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and all forms of theft—has a combined rate of 23.7 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, burglary makes up 5.5% of total crime and vehicle crime 4.1%. For residents and homeowners, these statistics indicate that while Templecombe is safer than the UK average, property protection remains a priority. The presence of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour suggests that commercial areas and public spaces are the primary sites for these offences, while residential areas should focus on deterring opportunistic theft and burglary, which show specific patterns throughout the day and night.

Templecombe is currently experiencing a significant upward trend in crime, with a 48.0% increase in total offences over the past year. Monthly data reveals substantial volatility, with a major peak of 11.1 incidents per 1,000 in January 2025 and another high of 9.6 in July 2025. These peaks contrast with lower rates in months like November 2024 and March 2025 (both 3.5). The overall trajectory is clearly increasing, which may be a cause for concern for local residents. This trend suggests a period of heightened criminal activity in the area, reinforcing the need for increased vigilance and robust home security measures.

How To Keep Safe in Templecombe

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Templecombe, accounting for over 42% of all reports. To enhance your personal safety in the village:

1. Stay alert when walking alone, particularly near the railway station or in quieter areas, and try to use well-lit routes after dark.
2. Consider using a personal safety app that allows you to share your location with trusted contacts in real-time.
3. Be aware of your surroundings in public spaces and avoid displaying high-value items like expensive jewellery or smartphones.
4. If you witness anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity, report it to the local police to help them target their patrols more effectively.
5. Ensure your home's exterior is well-maintained and adequately lit; motion-sensor lights are an effective and simple way to deter unwanted activity around your property.

Crime timing in Templecombe shows clear variations throughout the day. In the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft-related offences are most common, accounting for 43% and 46% of incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity is the primary driver for these offences. As the day transitions into evening and night, the risk profile shifts toward property crime. Burglary reaches its highest relative frequency in the afternoon and night, both at 29%. Furthermore, vehicle crime spikes significantly at night (12am-6am), making up 39% of all incidents reported during those hours. This indicates that while the village is active during the day, properties and vehicles are at their most vulnerable during the late-night and early-morning periods.

In the context of South Somerset, Templecombe has a higher crime rate than some of its immediate neighbours. It is more active than Milborne Port, which has a rate of 48.7, and Henstridge, which stands at 67.8. Very small settlements like Henstridge Marsh and Charlton Horethorne reported no crimes, though these are much smaller and less populated. Templecombe's rate of 72.9 reflects its role as a larger village with a railway station, which can sometimes lead to higher transient activity. Despite being higher than its closest neighbours, Templecombe's crime rate is still significantly below the UK average, making it a relatively secure place to live in the wider region.

With a property crime rate of 23.7 per 1,000 and a 48% increase in overall crime, Templecombe homeowners should prioritise proactive security. Traditional systems like Ring or Nest often only alert you once someone is already at your door or has entered your property, providing footage of a crime but not preventing it. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers a superior alternative by focusing on prevention. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS detects potential threats at your property boundary. It can distinguish between regular visitors and suspicious activity, and its autonomous response—activating lights or audio alerts—destroys the element of surprise for intruders. For Templecombe residents, especially given that burglary risk peaks in the afternoon and at night, an AI system that provides real-time intervention is the most effective way to ensure your home is not an easy target. Moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection is essential for maintaining safety in an area with an increasing crime trend.