Upton (Wakefield) Crime Rate

Upton (Wakefield) offers a safety profile that is currently seeing a major positive shift. The overall crime rate stands at 87.2 per 1,000 people, which is comfortably below the UK average of 91.6. This is reflected in a safety score of 78/100. Most notably, the area has experienced a significant -22.5% reduction in total crime year-over-year, based on data from January 2025 to December 2025. This downward trend suggests that Upton is becoming a progressively safer environment for its 6,244 residents. While violence and sexual offences remain the most common report, the property crime rate is also well below national benchmarks, providing a reassuring context for homeowners and local businesses alike.

In Upton (Wakefield), the most frequently reported crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 252 incidents, or 46.3% of the total crime volume. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 14.2%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.8%. These top three categories represent nearly 70% of all recorded offences in the area.

Property-related crime in Upton—including burglary, vehicle crime, and various types of theft—occurs at a rate of 22.7 per 1,000 people. This is notably lower than the UK average of 32.2 per 1,000, which is an encouraging statistic for local homeowners. Within this category, other theft (5.6 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (4.5 per 1,000) are the most prevalent, while burglary is reported at a rate of 3.2 per 1,000. For residents, this means that while the overall risk to property is lower than the national benchmark, the combined impact of theft and anti-social behaviour necessitates a consistent approach to home and community security.

Upton’s crime trend is exceptionally positive, with a 22.5% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. This significant drop indicates a strong improvement in the area's overall safety and security.

Looking at the monthly data for 2025, the year started with higher rates, peaking in March at 10.9 per 1,000. However, from May onwards, the crime rate saw a sustained decline, dropping to 6.4 and eventually reaching a low of 5.9 in October and November. The year ended with a slight rise to 6.3 in December, but the overall trajectory remains firmly downward. This sustained reduction across the latter half of the year suggests that local safety initiatives are having a lasting effect, making Upton a much safer place than it was just twelve months ago.

How To Keep Safe in Upton (Wakefield)

The highest crime category in Upton is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.3% of total reports. Staying safe involves both personal awareness and a proactive approach to home security.

When out in the community, especially during the evening, try to travel in groups and stick to well-lit main roads. Avoid using poorly lit cut-throughs or walking through isolated areas like parks after dark. Keeping your mobile phone charged and sharing your expected arrival time with someone at home are simple but effective safety habits.

To address the 14.2% of crimes related to anti-social behaviour, ensure your property is well-defended with clear boundaries. Since vehicle crime accounts for 41% of offences between 12am and 6am, always park in a garage or a well-lit driveway if possible. Installing a visible security system can also act as a powerful deterrent against both property crime and opportunistic anti-social behaviour, signalling that your home is not an easy target.

Crime in Upton follows a clear temporal pattern that residents should be aware of. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, peaking between 12pm and 6pm where it accounts for 48% of all offences. This suggests that opportunistic crime is most likely when people are away from their homes or active in commercial areas.

As the evening progresses, anti-social behaviour and other crime types become more prevalent. However, the most significant shift occurs during the night (12am - 6am). During this period, vehicle crime spikes dramatically, accounting for 41% of all recorded incidents. Burglary risk is also highest during the afternoon and night, with 20% of occurrences in each period. This data indicates that while personal property should be secured during the day, vehicle and perimeter security are the most critical priorities during the late-night hours.

In the local context, Upton (87.2) presents a much safer alternative to its larger neighbours, South Elmsall and South Kirkby, which have significantly higher crime rates of 141.2 and 134.1 respectively. While it cannot match the near-zero rates of tiny rural hamlets like Badsworth or Thorpe Audlin, it is a high performer among the urban settlements in the southern part of the Wakefield local authority. For those looking for a balance between urban amenities and a secure residential environment, Upton’s current trajectory makes it one of the most improved areas in the immediate vicinity.

With a property crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000, Upton residents are less likely to experience a break-in than the average UK citizen, but the risk remains a reality. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they record the crime as it happens but do little to stop it. In many cases, homeowners are left with footage of a masked intruder which rarely leads to a conviction or the recovery of stolen goods.

To truly secure a home in Upton, proactive protection is the key. scOS uses advanced AI to monitor your property boundary in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your front door. Unlike traditional systems that wait for a sensor to trip, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—like activating high-intensity lighting or audible alerts—the moment a suspicious pattern is detected. This immediate intervention destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on, often causing them to abandon their attempt within the first minute. For Upton homeowners, this shift from recording a crime to preventing it offers genuine peace of mind.