Property risks
Crime & safety — explained
How to read crime data before you buy, what it means for mortgages and insurance, and the questions buyers actually ask.
In OfferCheck this is the Crime & Safety component (20% of the PropertyCheck IQ), sourced from Police.uk.
Check a property’s risks →Questions buyers ask
Is this a safe area to live?
State it relatively: X crimes in 12 months vs the regional average; avoid absolute "safe/unsafe".
How do I check crime before buying a house?
Police.uk street-level data by location; read the 12-month trend, not one month.
Why does it show crime at my exact address?
Locations are snapped to anonymised map points for victim privacy — not the actual address.
Does crime affect getting a mortgage?
Not directly; lenders don't decline on crime, but insurers price premiums on it.
Is car/vehicle crime high here?
Point to the vehicle-crime share + trend vs comparator.
Is this area getting better or worse?
Lead with the 12-month trend, which is more reliable than any single month.