Barlaston Crime Rate

Barlaston is a highly secure and peaceful urban settlement within the Stafford local authority, boasting an impressive safety score of 89/100. This score is significantly higher than the UK average of 79/100. The village maintains an overall crime rate of 42.5 per 1,000 residents, which is less than half of the national average of 91.6. Most notably, Barlaston has seen a dramatic 45.0% decrease in crime year-over-year, indicating a very positive shift in the local safety landscape. While the village experiences more activity than its smallest rural neighbours, it offers a safe environment for its population of over 1,500 people. Understanding local crime patterns, particularly around property and personal safety, is key for residents looking to maintain this high standard of security.

Crime Breakdown in Barlaston

Barlaston's crime profile is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which constitute 51.5% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.6% and public order offences at 7.6%. These figures suggest that most local issues are related to personal conduct and social disturbances rather than property-focused crime.

Property-related crime in Barlaston, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a combined rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents. This category features other theft (6.1%), vehicle crime (4.5%), and burglary (3.0%). Criminal damage and arson also account for 4.5% of the total. For homeowners, the data indicates a very low level of property-focused activity. The burglary rate of 1.3 per 1,000 people is exceptionally low, making Barlaston one of the more secure residential areas in the region. The significant 45.0% decrease in overall crime further reinforces this, suggesting that property-related risks are minimal and continue to decline. Residents can feel confident in the safety of their homes and vehicles.

Crime Trends in Barlaston

The overall crime trend in Barlaston is currently moving in a very positive direction, with a recorded 45.0% decrease in total offences year-over-year. This significant reduction is an excellent sign for the community, suggesting that the village is becoming much safer over time.

Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 reveals some fluctuations. The year began with a very low crime rate of 0.6 in January, which rose sharply to 7.7 in February. Another peak occurred in May, also at 7.7 per 1,000 people. The latter half of the year saw a general stabilisation, with rates fluctuating between 0.6 and 4.5. The year ended with a rate of 0.6 in December. While these monthly spikes show that crime can vary, the overall annual decline is the most important indicator of Barlaston's improving safety profile. Residents should remain aware that certain months may see higher levels of opportunistic activity, but the long-term trend is exceptionally encouraging.

How To Keep Safe in Barlaston

The most frequent crime type in Barlaston is violence and sexual offences. To maintain personal safety in this otherwise quiet village, residents and visitors should follow these practical tips.

1. Personal Safety Awareness: When walking alone after dark, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated footpaths. Ensure someone knows your expected arrival time if you are out late.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime accounts for 4.5% of local crime and peaks at night. Always double-check that your car is locked and that no valuables—even small items—are visible through the windows.
3. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB is the second most common issue. Reporting incidents to the local council or police helps identify hotspots and prevents minor disturbances from escalating.
4. Home Security Habits: With burglary most likely at night, ensure your home is fully secured before going to bed. Use motion-activated lighting around your driveway and entrances to deter intruders.
5. Community Awareness: Join local neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about recent activity and share safety tips with fellow residents to help keep the village secure.

In Barlaston, crime activity follows a clear cycle throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 46% and 51% of crimes respectively. This suggests that opportunistic activity is most likely during daylight hours when residents may be away from their homes.

As the day transitions into evening, the profile of crime shifts. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' offences—including anti-social behaviour and public order—peak at 46%. The most significant shift occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime becomes a major issue, accounting for 46% of all reported incidents. Interestingly, burglary risk remains relatively consistent throughout the day and night, ranging from 11% to 20%. These figures indicate that property-related offences in Barlaston are most likely to occur under the cover of darkness, while social disturbances are more common in the evening. Residents are advised to be particularly mindful of their vehicle security overnight and maintain consistent home security at all times.

Barlaston's safety profile is very favourable when compared to the nearby city of Stoke-on-Trent, which has a much higher crime rate of 135.0 per 1,000 people. It is also safer than nearby Oulton (62.9). Conversely, the very small rural areas of Tittensor and Swynnerton both reported 0.0 crimes, reflecting their much smaller and more isolated nature. For those considering the region, Barlaston provides an excellent balance between village life and local activity, offering a safe environment that is significantly more secure than larger urban centres, while being more connected than the smallest rural hamlets. This makes it a top choice for those seeking security without isolation.

With a property crime rate of only 8.4 per 1,000 people and a significant downward trend in overall crime, Barlaston residents are in a low-risk environment. However, maintaining this high standard of security requires a proactive approach. Traditional security systems, such as basic cameras or DIY kits, are reactive—they only record footage after a crime has been committed, which is often too late to prevent loss or damage.

For Barlaston residents who want the highest level of protection, the scOS AI-powered security system is the ideal solution. scOS uses proactive AI to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence can distinguish between everyday activity and a genuine security risk. By activating autonomous responses like security lights or audio alerts, scOS can deter a criminal before they even attempt a break-in. In a safe area like Barlaston, this proactive deterrence ensures your home remains a difficult target, effectively preventing the rare but still possible threat of property crime. Investing in a proactive system like scOS provides peace of mind that reactive cameras simply cannot match.