Staffordshire Moorlands Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands reports an overall crime rate of 66.5 per 1,000 residents annually, significantly lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This translates to a safety score of 83 out of 100, indicating that the area is considerably safer compared to the national benchmark of 78/100. However, the latest data reveals an increasing trend in crime, with a 10.5% rise year-over-year. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed analysis of crime types, trends, and protective measures within Staffordshire Moorlands.

About Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands is a predominantly rural district in Staffordshire, England, characterised by its stunning natural landscapes, including parts of the Peak District National Park. The area encompasses a mix of market towns such as Leek, Cheadle, and Biddulph, alongside numerous smaller villages and hamlets. This blend of rural and semi-urban environments contributes to a diverse set of crime statistics. The presence of agricultural areas, tourism (especially in the Peak District), and local market towns influences activity patterns. While major industrial areas or large-scale nightlife are less prevalent compared to larger cities, local commerce and community hubs attract daily footfall. The population, spread across various settlements, tends to be more settled, though tourist influxes can introduce a transient element. Economic factors are largely tied to agriculture, small businesses, and local services. These characteristics collectively shape the crime landscape, contributing to a generally lower overall crime rate compared to more densely populated urban centres, but with specific patterns influenced by local activities and demographics.

Crime Breakdown in Staffordshire Moorlands

An examination of crime types in Staffordshire Moorlands reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 45.6% of all recorded crimes, at a rate of 30.4 per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour at 15.2% (10.1 per 1,000) and Criminal damage and arson at 8.1% (5.4 per 1,000), making these the top three most prevalent crime types in the area.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, other theft, and robbery, Staffordshire Moorlands reports a combined rate of 18.0 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, burglary stands at 2.2 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 2.2 per 1,000, and other theft at 3.7 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these figures suggest a comparatively lower risk of property-related offences, although vigilance and proactive security measures remain essential to protect homes and possessions.

Crime Trends in Staffordshire Moorlands

Staffordshire Moorlands has experienced an increasing trend in its crime rate, with a year-over-year change of 10.5%. Analysing the monthly trend data provides further insight into this pattern. From October 2024 to February 2025, crime rates generally saw a decline, dropping from 5.8 per 1,000 in October to a low of 4.4 per 1,000 in February. However, there was a noticeable upturn from March 2025, with rates climbing to 5.7 per 1,000, and peaking in July 2025 at 6.5 per 1,000. The period from June to September 2025 saw rates fluctuate between 5.8 and 6.5 per 1,000, indicating a sustained higher level of activity compared to the earlier months of the year. This upward trend suggests residents should remain aware of local safety conditions and consider preventative measures to mitigate potential risks.

Crime in Nearby Areas

Comparing Staffordshire Moorlands with its neighbouring areas provides valuable regional context. While specific crime rates for each adjacent area are not provided, Staffordshire Moorlands, with an overall crime rate of 66.5 per 1,000, generally maintains a safer profile than the UK average. Larger urban centres like Stoke-on-Trent might typically experience higher crime rates due to increased population density and diverse activities. Areas such as Derbyshire Dales and Cheshire East, which often feature a mix of rural and suburban landscapes, could present varying crime patterns, potentially lower in more rural pockets. Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, and East Staffordshire, being other local authority districts, will have their own unique crime dynamics influenced by their specific demographics and urbanisation levels. This regional perspective helps residents understand Staffordshire Moorlands' relative position within the broader local landscape.

Protecting Your Home in Staffordshire Moorlands

Given Staffordshire Moorlands' property crime rate of 18.0 per 1,000, which is considerably below the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000, residents benefit from a relatively secure environment. However, proactive home security remains paramount. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after an incident, merely recording your burglary rather than preventing it. If you are seeking real protection, consider moving beyond reactive security to proactive solutions.

AI-powered systems like scOS offer a different approach by detecting threats at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. Unlike DIY systems that notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. With multi-camera intelligence, it watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and even catches fake plates instantly with DVLA vehicle verification. The system learns your family's routines, identifying real threats and destroying the element of surprise through autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers. Most burglars decide within 60 seconds whether to proceed; a visible, professional-grade deterrence like scOS makes them move on, providing serious protection that prevents crime before it happens.