Upper Tean Crime Rate

Upper Tean’s crime profile reveals a striking contrast: vehicle crime is 22% above the UK average, yet overall crime is 47% below national levels. With a safety score of 89/100, the area is significantly safer than the UK average, despite a sharp 100% year-on-year rise in 'other crime'. This duality highlights the need to address specific vulnerabilities while maintaining the area’s strong safety record.

Upper Tean is a built-up area within Staffordshire Moorlands, characterised by a mix of residential and light commercial properties. Its proximity to major transport routes and commuter hubs may contribute to higher vehicle crime rates, while its smaller scale and community cohesion likely suppress more severe crimes. The area’s lower population density compared to urban centres may also reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour.

The most striking finding is that vehicle crime in Upper Tean is 22% above the UK average (5.6 vs 4.6 per 1,000). This likely reflects the area’s role as a commuter node, with numerous parked vehicles in residential streets and car parks. Despite this, violence and sexual offences are 52% below the UK average (15.3 vs 32.1 per 1,000), possibly due to a low proportion of younger demographics or effective community policing. Shoplifting (5.9 per 1,000) is also below average, suggesting retail areas are either well-monitored or less frequented by opportunistic offenders. The sharp 100% year-on-year increase in 'other crime' remains unexplained by the data but may indicate underreported incidents or emerging patterns linked to local amenities.

Crime in Upper Tean has decreased by 9.9% year-on-year, but 'other crime' has surged by 100%, an unexplained anomaly. Monthly trends show a peak in April 2025 (6.6 per 1,000/month), likely linked to seasonal activity, followed by a dip in September (1.9 per 1,000/month). The sharp rise in 'other crime' may reflect underreported incidents or new patterns. Despite this, overall crime remains 47% below the UK average.

How To Keep Safe in Upper Tean

To mitigate vehicle crime, park cars in well-lit areas and use scOS’s perimeter monitoring to detect unfamiliar vehicles. Given the 100% year-on-year rise in 'other crime', remain vigilant in public spaces, especially during late evenings when unexplained incidents peak. For property security, ensure windows and doors are locked even during the day, as 12% of burglaries occur in the afternoon. Community engagement, such as Neighbourhood Watch participation, can further strengthen local safety.

Vehicle crime spikes dramatically at night (62% of cases between 12am-6am), likely due to unoccupied cars in residential streets. Theft peaks in the afternoon (49% of cases between 12pm-6pm), aligning with shopping activity and potentially unattended vehicles. Burglary is most common in the afternoon (23%) and evening (20%), reflecting opportunities during daylight hours when homes are less occupied. The sharp rise in 'other crime' at night (27% of cases) may indicate unreported incidents or activities tied to local amenities.

Compared to Cheadle (Staffordshire Moorlands) and Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook, both of which have crime rates 68% higher than Upper Tean’s 48.3 per 1,000, the area stands out as one of the safest in the region. This may reflect Upper Tean’s lower population density, stronger community engagement, or better policing strategies.

For Upper Tean households, vehicle crime (22% above UK average) demands targeted security, scOS’s hardwired cameras monitor driveways and boundaries 24/7, distinguishing between neighbours and intruders. DVLA integration flags stolen vehicles approaching the property, while autonomous lighting and speaker systems deter opportunists. These features align with the area’s need to counter vehicle crime, which accounts for 11.6% of all crimes.