Byfield Crime Rate

Byfield is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 33.1 per 1,000 people, which is substantially lower than the UK average of 91.7. The area boasts a high safety score of 91/100, reflecting a secure environment for its population of 1,903. Recent trends are positive, with a year-over-year decrease in crime of 8.7%. This downward trajectory, starting from an already low base, makes Byfield one of the safer locations in West Northamptonshire. While the primary crime types are common to most areas, the low frequency of incidents provides significant peace of mind for residents. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime patterns and safety advice.

In Byfield, the most frequent crime types are violence and sexual offences (42.9%), anti-social behaviour (19.1%), and burglary (11.1%). Property crime, which encompasses burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. However, the fact that burglary is the third most common crime type in the village is notable for homeowners. While the overall numbers are low, the presence of burglary and vehicle crime (9.5%) highlights the importance of maintaining robust home and vehicle security to protect personal property in this otherwise safe settlement.

Byfield has seen a positive trend in its crime statistics, with an 8.7% decrease in total crime over the last year. Analysis of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that the crime rate peaked in January 2025 at 6.3 per 1,000 residents, but then dropped significantly, reaching a low of 0.5 in both May and July 2025. The latter half of the year saw some minor fluctuations, ending at 3.2 in November 2025. This overall reduction suggests that local safety initiatives or policing may be having a beneficial effect, maintaining Byfield's status as a very low-crime residential area.

How To Keep Safe in Byfield

Although Byfield is very safe, violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of local crime. We suggest staying alert when walking in quieter areas, especially after dark, and considering the use of personal safety apps that allow you to share your location with trusted contacts. Given that burglary is also a top-three crime type, with a significant peak in the afternoon, it is essential to ensure your home looks occupied when you are out. Simple measures like using timer switches for lights or leaving a radio on can be effective. Furthermore, since vehicle crime peaks at night, always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any items, even small change or charging cables, in plain sight, as these can attract opportunistic thieves.

Crime in Byfield follows a very specific temporal pattern, particularly concerning property offences. Burglary is most likely to occur during the afternoon (12pm-6pm), accounting for 49% of all burglary incidents, and in the evening (6pm-12am), which accounts for 41%. This suggests that burglars are targeting homes when they are most likely to be empty or when residents are preoccupied. Conversely, vehicle crime is heavily concentrated in the night-time hours (12am-6am), where it makes up 49% of all reported crimes. During the morning (6am-12pm), the risks are more evenly spread between burglary, theft, and vehicle crime. This data indicates that residents should prioritise home security during the day and evening, and vehicle security overnight.

In the local context of West Northamptonshire, Byfield compares very favourably to its neighbours. Its crime rate of 33.1 per 1,000 is lower than that of Woodford Halse, which recorded 46.1 crimes per 1,000 people. While smaller nearby villages like Upper Boddington, Eydon, and Aston le Walls reported zero crimes, these are much smaller communities. Byfield offers a balance of residential amenities with a crime rate that remains far below the national average, making it a highly attractive and safe option for those looking to live in the region.

Byfield's property crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 is low, but the fact that burglary and vehicle crime are among the top concerns for residents suggests that proactive protection is a wise investment. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they provide footage of a crime after it has already occurred. For true peace of mind, scOS offers a proactive approach by using AI to detect threats at your property boundary. In Byfield, where 49% of burglaries happen in the afternoon when you might be out, scOS stays vigilant, watching all your cameras simultaneously. It can recognise familiar faces and routines, only alerting you to genuine threats. Its autonomous response features, such as activating lights or speakers, can destroy the element of surprise for a potential intruder. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you ensure your home remains a safe haven in this quiet village.