Rural Stafford Crime Rate

Rural Stafford is a safe and expansive area within the Stafford local authority, featuring a strong safety score of 87/100. This score is notably higher than the UK average of 79/100. The area maintains an overall crime rate of 52.2 per 1,000 residents, which remains significantly lower than the national average of 91.6. However, the recent trend shows a 14.0% increase in crime year-over-year, indicating a shift in the local safety landscape that residents should be aware of. Despite this, Rural Stafford offers a secure environment for its population of over 17,000 people. Understanding local crime patterns, particularly around property and vehicle safety, is key for residents looking to maintain this high standard of security.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Stafford

In Rural Stafford, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 42.6% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 9.5% and criminal damage and arson at 8.7%. These figures suggest that most issues in the rural areas are related to personal conduct and social disturbances, but property damage is also a notable factor.

Property-related crime in Rural Stafford, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a combined rate of 16.2 per 1,000 residents. This category includes other theft (7.7%), vehicle crime (6.6%), and burglary (5.6%). For homeowners in these rural settings, the data indicates a moderate level of property-focused activity. While the burglary rate is relatively low, the presence of vehicle crime and criminal damage suggests that residents should be proactive in securing their homes and cars. The 14.0% increase in overall crime year-over-year is a signal that security should remain a priority across the rural area. The combined impact of theft and damage means that residents should be vigilant against opportunistic activity, especially given the dispersed nature of properties in the region.

Crime Trends in Rural Stafford

The overall crime trend in Rural Stafford is currently increasing, with a recorded 14.0% rise in total offences year-over-year. While the area remains safe by national standards, this upward movement is something for the local community to be mindful of.

Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 reveals a fairly consistent level of activity with some variation. The year began with a crime rate of 3.4 in January, rising to 4.6 in March. A peak occurred in April, with the crime rate reaching 5.6 per 1,000 people. The latter half of the year saw a general stabilisation, with rates fluctuating between 3.7 and 5.3. The year ended with a rate of 4.2 in December. While these monthly fluctuations show that crime can vary, the overall annual increase suggests a slight upward trend in opportunistic activity across the rural region. Residents should remain aware that certain months, particularly during the spring and summer, may see higher levels of reported incidents.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Stafford

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

1. Personal Safety Awareness: When walking alone after dark in rural areas, stick to well-lit roads where possible and avoid isolated shortcuts. Ensure someone knows your expected arrival time if you are out late.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime accounts for 6.6% 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, especially if parked on a driveway.
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 in the rural community.
4. Home Security Habits: With 23% of burglaries occurring in the afternoon, ensure your home is fully locked when you are out during the day. Don't leave side gates open or tools accessible that could be used for a break-in.
5. Community Awareness: Join local rural watch schemes to stay informed about recent activity and share safety tips with fellow residents to help keep the rural area secure.

In Rural Stafford, crime activity follows a clear cycle throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 42% and 46% of crimes respectively. This suggests that opportunistic activity is most likely during daylight hours when residents may be away from their homes. Interestingly, burglary also peaks in the afternoon and night at 23%, indicating that both daytime and overnight break-ins are a specific risk.

As the day transitions into evening, the profile of crime shifts. Between 6pm and midnight, 'other' offences—including anti-social behaviour and criminal damage—peak at 44%. The most dramatic shift occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime becomes the dominant issue, accounting for a significant 40% of all reported incidents. These figures indicate that property-related offences in Rural Stafford are a constant risk, with burglary peaking during the day and night, and vehicle crime peaking overnight. Residents are advised to be particularly mindful of their vehicle security overnight and maintain consistent home security at all times, especially in more isolated rural locations.

Rural Stafford's safety profile is very favourable when compared to the town of Stafford, which has a much higher crime rate of 84.3 per 1,000 people. It provides a much more peaceful experience than the main urban centre. Conversely, very small rural settlements like Milford and Brocton both reported 0.0 crimes, reflecting their much smaller and more isolated nature. For those considering the region, Rural Stafford provides an excellent balance between rural 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 in a rural setting.

With a property crime rate of 16.2 per 1,000 people and an increasing trend in overall crime, Rural Stafford residents should consider the benefits of advanced security. While the area is generally safe, the presence of vehicle crime and burglary suggests that opportunistic criminals do target rural properties. Traditional security systems, such as basic DIY cameras, are often reactive—they record a crime as it happens, which may help with a police report but does nothing to stop the incident.

The scOS AI-powered security system offers a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your door. It can distinguish between your family, a delivery driver, and a potential intruder, only alerting you to genuine risks. In a rural setting where properties may be more isolated, scOS's ability to activate autonomous responses like security lighting or audio deterrents can prevent a crime from ever occurring. Investing in proactive protection ensures that your home remains a hard target, encouraging criminals to move on rather than attempt a break-in. This is especially important given the recent rise in local crime activity.