Neighbourhood & crime
Street-level crime reported by police forces, placed on the nearest street. A read on the character of the wider area — not a risk score for one address.
The feel of a neighbourhood matters as much as the fabric of the building. The Home Office publishes street-level crime reported by every police force in England and Wales, which lets a screening give an objective read on the character of the wider area around a property.
Police forces publish recorded crime at street level through data.police.uk. Each report is snapped to the nearest street rather than the exact address, reflects a single month, and usually lags one to two months behind. It shows the character of an area, not risk to a specific home.
How we report it
We report the number of street-level crimes recorded in the most recent published month within roughly a mile of the property, broken down by the main categories — for example anti-social behaviour, violence, criminal damage, public order, theft and burglary. Seeing the mix is more informative than a single number: a total dominated by anti-social behaviour reads very differently from one dominated by burglary.
What it means for you
Treat crime data as one input among many. A month is a small sample, so look at the pattern rather than a single figure, and combine it with a visit at different times of day and a look at the wider area. If a category stands out, it is a fair question to raise with the local force’s neighbourhood team, who publish priorities and contact details. For most buyers, this section simply confirms the general feel of an area they are already considering.
Know the risks before you commit
An instant, plain-English flood & environmental screen for any address in England — a fast, low-cost first look before you spend on surveys or searches.