Finding a truly 'safe' location to park your car overnight in Stevenage is difficult, but understanding the local context can help you minimise risk. Stevenage, with a population of 91,774, has a crime rate of 110.8 per 1,000 residents. This is higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a heightened risk of crime compared to the national picture. The area's safety score is 74/100, which is below the UK average of 79/100, further reinforcing this concern.
Given this elevated crime rate, selecting your parking location carefully is paramount. Ideally, choose locations that are well-lit, regularly patrolled, or have CCTV coverage. While specific parking locations with proven low crime rates are not publicly available, focusing on areas with high foot traffic and visibility generally reduces the likelihood of vehicle crime.
It’s important to remember that vehicle crime can take various forms, including theft of the vehicle itself, theft from the vehicle (sat-navs, radios, personal belongings), and damage to the vehicle. Therefore, preventative measures are vital. These include ensuring your vehicle is locked, removing all valuables from view (and ideally from the car entirely), and considering installing an alarm system or steering lock.
While this data provides a general overview of the area's safety, it's crucial to remain vigilant. Report any suspicious activity to the police and be aware of your surroundings when approaching your vehicle. The statistics highlight a need for caution and proactive security measures when parking in Stevenage.