Rural St. Helens Crime Rate

Rural St. Helens offers a secure living environment with an overall crime rate of 75.3 per 1,000 people per year. This rate is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6, contributing to its safety score of 81/100 (where the national average is 79). The area's crime trend is currently stable, with a negligible 1.5% change year-over-year, indicating a consistent safety landscape. While safer than many urban centres, Rural St. Helens experiences a different mix of crime types due to its geographical nature. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of crime statistics, including the top offences and temporal patterns, based on data from January to December 2025, helping residents understand their local security context.

In Rural St. Helens, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.8% of all reports (35.2 per 1,000). This is followed by criminal damage and arson (12.2%) and anti-social behaviour (10.4%). These statistics highlight that social and personal offences are the primary focus for local law enforcement. Property crime, including burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, has an overall rate of 19.5 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, 'other theft' is the most common at 4.4%, followed by burglary at 3.0% and vehicle crime at 2.7%. For residents, the relatively high percentage of criminal damage and arson suggests that property protection should not only focus on theft prevention but also on deterring vandalism and malicious damage to homes and outbuildings.

Rural St. Helens is currently experiencing a stable crime trend, with a minor 1.5% increase in total recorded crimes year-over-year. This stability suggests that the local safety environment is not undergoing major shifts. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 5.1 per 1,000 in January, rising to a mid-year peak of 8.4 in July. This summer spike was the highest point of the year, followed by a slight decrease through the autumn. The crime rate rose again to 7.3 in October before settling back to 5.8 by December. These monthly fluctuations are typical for rural areas where specific events or seasonal changes can influence crime reporting, but the overall annual consistency remains the primary takeaway for residents.

How To Keep Safe in Rural St. Helens

The most common crime in Rural St. Helens is violence and sexual offences. While many of these incidents are not random, it is wise to maintain safety awareness when out in public. If walking between villages or in more isolated rural spots, try to do so during daylight hours and stick to known paths. Always carry a charged mobile phone and consider sharing your location with a family member or friend.

Property security is particularly important in rural areas where homes may be set back from the road. Ensure all outbuildings, garages, and sheds are secured with heavy-duty locks, as these are often targets for theft. Because criminal damage is a top crime type, consider installing motion-sensor lighting around your property to eliminate dark spots where vandals might hide. For vehicle safety, never leave tools or expensive equipment in vans or cars overnight, especially if parked in a driveway or on the street. Joining a local 'Rural Watch' or similar community group can also help you stay informed about suspicious vehicles or activity in the area.

Crime in Rural St. Helens follows distinct temporal cycles. During the morning and afternoon, theft is a major component, making up 30% and 33% of incidents respectively. This aligns with daytime activity and the operation of local businesses. However, as the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of recorded crime shifts. Evening hours are dominated by 'other' crimes, which account for a significant 68% of reports, likely reflecting social-related anti-social behaviour. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a notable rise in vehicle crime, which accounts for 24% of all incidents during these hours. Burglary risk is also most prominent at night (18%) and in the afternoon (17%). These patterns suggest that while daytime is more prone to theft, the night-time hours require extra vigilance regarding vehicle and residential property security.

Rural St. Helens occupies a middle position in terms of regional safety. It is safer than the nearby urban area of Haydock, which has a higher crime rate of 85.6 per 1,000. However, it is less secure than the neighbouring villages of Billinge (38.8) and Rainford (43.3), which benefit from much lower overall crime figures. For those seeking a rural lifestyle, this area provides a good balance, being significantly more peaceful than the core urban parts of St. Helens local authority, though not as quiet as the most secluded residential pockets.

In Rural St. Helens, the property crime rate of 19.5 per 1,000 and the significant presence of criminal damage (12.2% of total crime) present unique challenges for homeowners. Rural properties, often being more isolated with larger boundaries, can be more vulnerable to opportunistic intrusion and vandalism. Traditional security systems like basic alarms or standalone cameras often fail because they only react once an incident is already underway. For true peace of mind, scOS provides a proactive AI-powered operating system that transforms how you protect your home. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS can identify unauthorised individuals before they reach your house. The system’s autonomous responses—including activating lighting and audible warnings—are designed to deter intruders instantly. This proactive approach is particularly valuable for rural residents, where police response times may be longer. scOS ensures that your home is not just recording a crime, but actively preventing it, keeping your family and property safe from both theft and damage.