Mortimer Crime Rate

Mortimer is a safe urban settlement with a crime rate of 71.9 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 91.7. The area enjoys a high safety score of 84/100, significantly exceeding the national average of 79. However, recent data shows an increasing trend, with a 9.7% rise in crime year-over-year. This upward movement suggests that while Mortimer remains a secure place to live, residents should be increasingly aware of local trends. The following analysis provides a detailed look at Mortimer's crime breakdown, including the most common offences, time-based patterns, and practical security advice for the local community.

In Mortimer, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, accounting for 33.3% of all incidents, with a rate of 24.0 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour (18.0%) and criminal damage and arson (13.8%) follow as the next most common offences. These figures indicate that while Mortimer is a relatively small settlement, social-related issues and opportunistic damage are the primary concerns for the local community.

Property crime in Mortimer is recorded at a rate of 28.4 per 1,000 people, which is slightly lower than the UK average of 32.3. This includes shoplifting (8.3 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.9 per 1,000), and other theft (3.3 per 1,000). Burglary is relatively rare, with only 8 incidents reported at a rate of 2.2 per 1,000. For residents, this means that while the risk of a break-in is statistically low, there is a notable level of retail-related crime and vandalism. Homeowners should focus on securing their property boundaries to deter the criminal damage that is more prevalent in the area.

The crime trend in Mortimer is currently on the rise, with a 9.7% increase in total offences compared to the previous year. A closer look at the monthly trend data reveals significant volatility; for instance, the crime rate was as low as 1.9 per 1,000 in February 2025, but surged to 9.1 in August and 8.5 in October. This pattern suggests that criminal activity in Mortimer is not constant but occurs in spikes, possibly linked to seasonal factors or specific local events. For residents, this means that while the overall environment is safe, the recent upward trajectory and the presence of high-activity months require a more proactive approach to security and community awareness than in previous, quieter periods.

How To Keep Safe in Mortimer

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Mortimer, accounting for one-third of all reported incidents. To stay safe in this urban settlement, it is recommended to stay aware of your surroundings when walking through the village, especially during the evening and night-time hours. While the area is generally quiet, sticking to well-lit paths and avoiding poorly lit shortcuts is always a sensible precaution.

Given that criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are also prominent, residents should ensure that their property is well-maintained and clearly demarcated. Installing motion-activated lighting around the front and side of your home can deter those looking to cause nuisance or damage. If you witness anti-social behaviour, reporting it promptly to the police helps them understand local patterns and allocate patrols more effectively. For car owners, the night-time spike in vehicle crime means parking in a garage or a well-lit driveway is the best way to keep your vehicle secure. By taking these proactive steps, you can help maintain Mortimer's reputation as a safe and secure place to live.

Crime patterns in Mortimer vary significantly throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is a peak time for theft and burglary, often coinciding with when residential properties are most likely to be unoccupied. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am), there is a noticeable increase in 'other' crimes, which often include anti-social behaviour. Interestingly, the night-time period between 12am and 6am sees the highest concentration of vehicle crime, accounting for 34% of all offences during those hours. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are relatively balanced but see a higher percentage of theft-related reports as the village's commercial activities begin. Understanding these shifts allows residents to be more targeted with their security habits, such as ensuring vehicles are extra secure overnight.

In the local context, Mortimer's crime rate of 71.9 per 1,000 is very similar to neighbouring Burghfield Common, which sits at 71.2. It is, however, more active than the smaller settlement of Silchester, which has a much lower rate of 31.8. Very small nearby areas like Stratfield Mortimer and Old Warren reported no crime during this period. This comparison shows that Mortimer is a typical urban settlement for the West Berkshire region—safer than the national average but with more activity than its most rural neighbours. For those choosing between local villages, Mortimer offers a balanced safety profile with a strong community feel.

Mortimer's property crime rate of 28.4 per 1,000 people highlights that while the area is safe, opportunistic crime is still a factor. The prevalence of criminal damage and shoplifting suggests that property boundaries are often the first point of contact for offenders. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV or basic alarms, are reactive—they only tell you something has happened after the fact.

For Mortimer residents, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS offers a significantly higher level of protection. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time, identifying potential threats before they escalate. It can distinguish between a delivery person and someone loitering with intent. With autonomous responses like activating security lights or audio alerts, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars and vandals rely on. This proactive approach is particularly effective in a community like Mortimer, where visible, intelligent deterrence can encourage criminals to move on to easier, less protected targets.