Hungerford Crime Rate

Hungerford is a historic market town that recorded an overall crime rate of 68.8 per 1,000 people between December 2024 and November 2025. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a strong safety score of 83/100. The town is currently experiencing a positive downward trend, with crime decreasing by 5.2% year-over-year. As a well-established community in West Berkshire, Hungerford offers a secure environment for its residents, though it is not entirely immune to the types of offences typical of semi-rural settlements. This report details the specific crime types, time patterns, and local trends to provide a comprehensive safety overview for the area.

Crime in Hungerford

In Hungerford, the most frequent crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 45.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (10.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.7%). These figures indicate that personal safety and community conduct are the primary areas of concern for this market town.

Property crime in Hungerford occurs at a rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Other theft (8.0%) and burglary (6.7%) are the most notable property-related offences. For residents, the relatively low property crime rate is a positive sign, but the fact that burglary makes up nearly 7% of all crime suggests that home security should not be overlooked. Maintaining a secure perimeter and ensuring outbuildings are locked are sensible precautions in this semi-rural setting.

Crime Trends in Hungerford

The crime trend in Hungerford is currently positive, with total reported incidents decreasing by 5.2% over the last year. This reduction indicates a generally improving safety environment for the town's residents.

Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a fluctuating but controlled pattern. The year started with a rate of 4.6 in December, followed by a spike to 7.7 in January 2025. Another significant peak occurred in May, reaching 8.7 per 1,000, which was the highest for the period. Since then, the rates have been inconsistent, with a notable dip to 4.1 in August before rising again to 7.4 in November. These fluctuations are common in smaller towns where a handful of incidents can significantly impact monthly percentages. Despite these peaks, the overall annual trajectory is downwards, reinforcing Hungerford's status as a safe and secure community.

How To Keep Safe in Hungerford

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Hungerford. While the town is generally peaceful, following these safety tips can help you feel more secure.

1. When walking home late at night, especially from the railway station or local pubs, stick to well-lit main streets like the High Street and avoid quiet shortcuts through alleyways or the common.
2. Ensure that your home is well-lit at night; motion-activated lighting is an excellent deterrent for opportunistic criminals looking for an easy target.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings in public spaces, particularly during the evening when anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur.
4. If you live in a more isolated or rural property on the outskirts of town, consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about local issues.
5. Always double-check that all doors, windows, and garden gates are locked before going to bed or leaving the house, as many burglaries in safe areas are opportunistic.

Analysis of crime timing in Hungerford reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) and afternoons (12pm-6pm) are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for over 40% of incidents in these periods. This likely coincides with the town's commercial activity and retail opening hours. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), theft decreases, but 'other' crimes, which include anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rise to nearly 50% of the total. The night-time period (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile, with burglary reaching its peak at 36% of all incidents and vehicle crime also rising to 17%. These statistics suggest that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic and retail-focused, the hours of darkness see a shift towards property-targeted offences and social-related issues.

Hungerford is situated in a very low-crime part of West Berkshire. When compared to its immediate neighbours, Hungerford's rate of 68.8 is higher than Kintbury (40.0) and significantly higher than the very small rural settlements of Lower Green, Ham, and Inkpen, which all report zero crimes in this period. As the primary commercial and transport hub for this corner of the county, Hungerford naturally records more incidents than its smaller, purely residential neighbours. However, it remains an exceptionally safe town when compared to national averages or larger urban centres in the region.

With a property crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000, Hungerford is a safe area, yet the fact that burglary accounts for 6.7% of all crime means residents should remain vigilant. In a quiet town like Hungerford, a break-in can be particularly distressing. Most traditional security systems are reactive, meaning they only record footage or sound an alarm after an intruder has already gained entry.

For true peace of mind, Hungerford homeowners should consider a proactive approach. scOS is an AI-powered security operating system that identifies threats at the property boundary. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, deterring the criminal before they even reach your door. This preventative strategy is far more effective than DIY cameras, as it destroys the element of surprise and encourages opportunistic burglars to move on. Professional security like scOS ensures your home is protected by a system that acts in real-time to keep your family safe.