Stoke-on-Trent Crime Rate

Stoke-on-Trent is a major urban settlement with a crime rate of 135.0 per 1,000 people, which is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6. The area currently holds a safety score of 68/100, placing it below the national average of 79/100. Despite these figures, the crime trend in Stoke-on-Trent is stable, having seen a minor 0.9% decrease over the last year. This indicates that while the city faces significant challenges, the situation is not escalating. As a regional hub with a complex urban fabric, Stoke-on-Trent's crime profile is dominated by violence and anti-social behaviour. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics and offers practical advice for residents to enhance their personal and property safety.

Crime in Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent's urban settlement experiences a high crime rate of 135.0 per 1,000 residents. The most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which constitutes 37.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.4% and public order offences at 8.5%. These three categories alone account for a significant portion of the total crime volume in the city.

Property-related crime in Stoke-on-Trent, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 40.8 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 32.2. Specifically, shoplifting is a prominent issue, representing 6.8% of total crime, while burglary and vehicle crime each account for approximately 3.8% to 5.1%. For residents and homeowners, this statistics highlight a need for robust property protection. The elevated rates of criminal damage (8.0%) and other theft (5.5%) suggest that homes and vehicles are at a higher risk of interference than in many other UK urban areas. Securing perimeters and vehicles is essential in this city environment.

Crime Trends in Stoke-on-Trent

The crime trend in Stoke-on-Trent is currently described as stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 0.9%. This suggests that crime levels are holding steady. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows a clear seasonal pattern. The crime rate peaked in the summer months, reaching its highest point in July at 13.0 per 1,000 people, followed by June at 12.7. These months coincide with longer daylight hours and increased public activity in the city.

The lowest crime rates were recorded at the beginning of the year, with February seeing the lowest rate of 8.7 per 1,000, and January at 9.4. From March onwards, the rate remained consistently above 10.0 per 1,000, reflecting the settlement's busy urban nature. The fact that the trend is stable despite these fluctuations is a positive sign that long-term safety is not deteriorating. However, the consistently high monthly figures mean that residents should maintain a high level of vigilance and property protection throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Stoke-on-Trent

The most prevalent crime type in Stoke-on-Trent is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over 37% of all reported incidents. Personal safety in urban environments is a key priority for all residents.

1. When moving around the city, especially in the evenings, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated parks or poorly lit alleyways.
2. If you are using public transport or walking near the city centre at night, try to travel in groups and remain aware of your surroundings.
3. Ensure your home is as secure as possible by using high-quality deadlocks on all external doors and keeping windows locked when you are not in the room.
4. Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. In a busy city like Stoke, even small items left on display can attract opportunistic thieves.
5. Be mindful of your personal belongings in crowded areas, such as shopping centres or transport hubs, to prevent opportunistic theft from the person.
6. Engage with local community policing teams and neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about safety initiatives and any specific crime trends in your local neighbourhood.

Crime in Stoke-on-Trent follows distinct temporal patterns that are important for residents to understand. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is a peak time for theft-related offences, including shoplifting, which accounts for 40% of crimes in this period. Burglary is also notably frequent in the afternoon and at night, with 20% and 21% of incidents respectively.

Night-time (12am-6am) is particularly significant for vehicle crime, which makes up 34% of all reports during these early hours. This suggests that vehicles are at their highest risk while residents are asleep. The evening hours (6pm-12am) see a high concentration of "Other" crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which account for 55% of activity. These patterns highlight a clear transition from commercial and daytime property crime in the afternoon to social disturbances in the evening and opportunistic property theft overnight.

Comparing Stoke-on-Trent to its neighbouring settlements reveals a stark contrast in crime volumes. The city's rate of 135.0 per 1,000 is significantly higher than surrounding areas such as Barlaston (42.5) and Werrington (56.9). Other nearby locations like Cookshill and Tittensor report virtually no recorded crime. This disparity is typical for a major urban and industrial centre when compared to more suburban and rural neighbours. For those considering the region, Stoke-on-Trent offers the amenities of a large city but requires a higher level of safety awareness and more robust property security than the quieter villages that border it.

With a property crime rate of 40.8 per 1,000, Stoke-on-Trent residents face a tangible risk of burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. In this urban environment, traditional security measures often fall short because they are reactive. A standard alarm or camera system only alerts you or records footage after an intruder has already breached your property's perimeter.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your home's boundaries 24/7. It is designed to prevent crime before it happens. By identifying potential threats in real-time and distinguishing them from normal activity, scOS can trigger autonomous responses such as activating high-intensity lighting or audio alerts. This immediate intervention can disrupt a criminal's plan before they even reach your door. For Stoke-on-Trent homeowners, the visible deterrence of a professional-grade system like scOS is a powerful tool in protecting assets and ensuring peace of mind in a busy urban setting.