Does Most Crime Happen at Night?
You see it on your favorite streaming shows and feel it whenever you hear a bump in the night. But are you wrong? Does most crime happen at night? The answer: it depends.
Most people’s perception—that crime usually happens at night—is driven by movies, TV, media outlets, and cultural narratives. This doesn’t necessarily reflect reality. Let’s dissect what’s true about those perceptions and what’s patently false.
Different Kinds of Crime
If you’re asking, do most crimes happen at night … the overall answer is NO. Contrary to what you might expect, more crime happens during the daytime by a small margin.
However, it’s important to distinguish between the types of crimes that commonly happen during the day and night. Crime stats compiled by TheSleepJudge paint an interesting picture.
These crime categories occur more frequently during the daytime in major cities across the United States:
- Commercial robbery
- Burglary
- Fraud and similar white-collar crime
- Assault and battery
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Drug- and narcotics-related crimes
On the flip side, here are the crime categories that occur more frequently during the nighttime in the United States:
- DWI/DUI
- Murder and negligent manslaughter
- Rape and sexual assault
- Robbery
- Aggravated assault
The difference is stark: nighttime crimes tend to be more violent in nature. Midnight is typically the peak, but this may vary based on location and day of the week.
Answering Your Questions About Crime Timing
It’s easy to look at crime statistics and become paralyzed with fear. However, the purpose here is to arm you with information you can use to protect yourself, your family, and your home. That’s why we’ll address some of the most common questions about when crimes happen.
Q: What time do most robberies occur at night?
A: According to a 2017 Open City Crime Data analysis by TheSleepJudge, the most likely timeframe for a robbery is around 8 p.m. It’s worth noting that there were only slightly more robberies at night (56%) than during the day (44%). This study compiled crime data from 10 major U.S. cities, so it’s entirely possible that the results might not reflect your hometown.
Q: What time do most burglaries happen?
A: First, let’s define burglary vs. robbery so there’s no confusion with the previous question.
- Burglary is the unlawful entry into a property with the intent to commit a crime. There’s no requirement for confrontation with another person.
- Robbery is the use of force, threat, or intimidation to take property directly from another person against their will.
As for the time when burglaries are most common, here’s yet another common misconception. A burglary is actually more likely to occur during the daytime, especially the late afternoon.
Q: What percentage of crimes happen at night?
A: According to TheSleepJudge’s analysis of 10 U.S. cities, 55% of crimes happened during the day compared to 45% that took place at night.
Crime data from the FBI supports this conclusion. Out of all property crimes reported in the country in 2022, only 44% happened at night. Daytime property crimes also resulted in slightly higher average stolen property values than nighttime property crimes.
Q: Why does more crime happen at night?
A: Obviously, we’ve addressed the flaw in this perception. But it’s helpful to consider what drives nighttime criminal activity. After all, there’s still a lot of it.
Out of the nefarious activities that are more common after the sun goes down, why do most crimes happen at night? Here are some factors that can play a role:
- Reduced visibility (i.e. the cover of darkness)
- Alcohol and drug use
- Opportunity and routine activities (for example, going to bed at the same time every night)
- Shift in law enforcement focus
As to why so many non-violent crimes happen during the day, the major factor is opportunity. If you’re at work, you’re not home. And if you’re not home, no one is defending your valuables. Or at least that’s what a burglar is thinking.
Surveillance for Crime Prevention, Day or Night
Now that you understand the facts about when crime happens, it’s easier to put together a prevention plan.
One of the best ways to deter crimes is to reduce the opportunity criminals have to operate undetected. This includes using the cover of darkness, but it also includes accessing your home without being seen. Installing security floodlights is a good idea, but it’s not enough.
Camera surveillance is the most dependable option for deterring crime on your property. One major benefit is that the physical presence of cameras makes it obvious that someone is watching. Burglars would much rather target a home that poses less of a threat. Another benefit is that the footage is useful for identifying and apprehending the suspect.
But that’s just what old-school cameras can do. What sets Deep Sentinel apart is the active monitoring the live security guard team provides.
This isn’t your mother’s CCTV system. A team of highly skilled professionals intervenes when the system’s AI detects suspicious activity at your home. A nice bonus is that when a guard interacts with suspects, they often look directly into the camera, allowing the camera to capture identifying features. The guard can use this information when calling the police on your behalf. And, to protect you from those dangerous after-dark crimes, Deep Sentinel’s wireless security camera system has full-color night vision with a built-in LED floodlight.
Monitoring your main entrance is an obvious starting point. But don’t forget about side doors, egress windows, and other overlooked security risks. Thorough security camera coverage is essential if you’re serious about thwarting intruders. The mere presence of a camera system is reason enough for a nighttime (or daytime) prowler to think twice about attacking your property.
Need a Solution that Prevents Crime?
Deep Sentinel is the only security technology that delivers the experience of a personal guard on every customer’s home and business. Call 833.983.6006 for your free security consultation.