Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Rate

Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Overview

Sunbury-on-Thames currently enjoys a high level of safety, with an overall crime rate of 80.1 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This is further reflected in the town's impressive safety score of 81/100, placing it well above the UK average of 78. The crime trend in Sunbury-on-Thames is classified as stable, showing a minor decrease of 2.0% over the last year. Property crime is also notably low at 26.6 per 1,000, compared to the UK average of 32.9. These figures suggest that Sunbury-on-Thames is one of the safer urban settlements in the Spelthorne region, making it an attractive location for families and individuals seeking a secure environment. The following data provides a comprehensive breakdown of the local crime landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Sunbury-on-Thames

Sunbury-on-Thames's crime landscape is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.7% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.3% and vehicle crime at 9.4%. Together, these three categories make up approximately 60% of the total crime in the area.

Property crime in Sunbury-on-Thames is notably low, with a rate of 26.6 per 1,000 people, which is better than the UK national average of 32.9. This total includes vehicle crime (9.4%), other theft (6.2%), criminal damage and arson (7.0%), and shoplifting (4.2%). Burglary is relatively rare, accounting for only 3.2% of total reported crimes. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns for local authorities, the risk to homes is lower than in many other UK urban settlements. However, the high rate of vehicle crime, especially during night-time hours, remains a focus for local safety. The overall stable trend in crime further reinforces Sunbury's reputation as a safe place to live.

Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Trends

The crime trend in Sunbury-on-Thames is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 2.0%. This indicates that the area is maintaining its high safety standards and remains a secure residential environment.

Looking at the monthly data for 2024 and 2025, the crime rate has remained relatively consistent. The lowest point was in February 2025, recording a rate of 4.9 per 1,000. While there was a slight seasonal increase during the summer months—peaking at 8.3 in July 2025—the rate quickly settled back to 5.4 by October 2025. This stability across the year is a strong indicator of a safe and well-managed urban area.

How To Keep Safe in Sunbury-on-Thames

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Sunbury-on-Thames, accounting for over 35% of all reports. While the area is generally very safe, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal security.

1. Be Aware in Public Spaces: When walking through the town centre or near retail areas, stay alert to your surroundings and keep personal belongings secure to prevent opportunistic theft.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Given that vehicle crime is a major concern at night, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area or garage if possible.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most frequent issue; reporting these incidents promptly helps local authorities manage public spaces effectively.
4. Utilise Well-Lit Routes: When walking at night, stick to main roads and paths that are well-lit, avoiding shortcuts through isolated parks or unlit areas.
5. Install Smart Home Lighting: Use timed or motion-activated lighting around your home to deter potential intruders and increase visibility during the evening hours.

Sunbury-on-Thames Crime Timing Patterns

Crime in Sunbury-on-Thames follows specific temporal trends. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the primary concern at 40%, followed by vehicle crime at 27%. Afternoon hours see theft-related offences rise further to 47%, while burglary also reaches 15% of activity in this period.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order—make up 42% of total reports. However, the night-time period (12am - 6am) shows a dramatic shift toward vehicle crime, which surges to account for 57% of all incidents. This suggests that while daytime activity is largely focused on retail and commercial theft, the hours of darkness pose a very specific and significant risk to vehicle owners in the area.

Nearby Areas Comparison

In the local context of the Spelthorne and Surrey area, Sunbury-on-Thames (80.1) is a safe urban option. It has a slightly lower crime rate than neighbouring Walton-on-Thames (81.5). However, it is more active than the quieter suburban areas of Upper Halliford (64.1), Ashford Common (65.2), and Shepperton (71.8). This consistency across the immediate area suggests a well-managed and relatively secure urban corridor. For residents, Sunbury-on-Thames offers a balanced urban environment with high safety scores, providing a more secure alternative to some of the busier urban centres in the region while maintaining excellent transport links and local amenities.

Proactive Security in Sunbury-on-Thames

While Sunbury-on-Thames is statistically one of the safer areas in the region, its property crime rate of 26.6 per 1,000 still presents risks, particularly regarding vehicle crime, which accounts for 9.4% of all incidents. Vehicle crime peaks dramatically during the night-time hours, making up over half of all night-time incidents. Traditional security systems, such as basic cameras or alarms, often only alert you after a crime has been committed.

For residents who want the highest level of protection, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the ideal solution. By monitoring camera feeds in real-time, scOS can identify a potential intruder or car thief at the boundary of your property. Instead of just recording the incident, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings to stop the crime before it happens. In an area like Sunbury-on-Thames, where vehicle theft is a specific night-time concern, scOS provides the proactive deterrence needed to ensure your home remains a hard target.