Housing safety concerns in Scarborough area

Affordable prices lure buyers to Scarborough and Filey, but crime and social issues complicate the market.

Seaside towns near Scarborough mask a harder reality

Rightmove lists Scarborough and nearby Filey as affordable seaside towns. The average price for a two-bedroom semi in Scarborough runs about 202,600 pounds, with rents around 840 pounds a month. The price to income ratio sits at about 8.76 times local earnings. Filey is close behind at 213,669 pounds, also about 8.76 times the average income. Despite a reported 115 percent rise in demand since the pandemic, many buyers still weigh the risks of coastal life when bargains are on offer.

Locals say Barrowcliff has seen a rise in drug use and anti social behaviour that makes new buyers wary. Police launched Operation Tornado in March last year and say the crackdown has reduced crime on the estate by about a quarter, with 284 incidents in total and an overall 9 percent drop to 840 incidents. Officers urge residents to report problems and reassure buyers that the area is being watched.

Cheap homes often attract a different crowd to the area. The balance between affordability and safety is at the heart of Scarborough's housing story, and buyers may underestimate the social costs that come with cheap prices.

Policy makers face a challenge: how to boost supply of affordable homes without creating a sense of insecurity that drives away residents. The Barrowcliff case shows the value of police engagement, but long term planning, investment in youth and community services, and clear signals to buyers are needed.

Highlights

The coast still holds promise, but the path to affordable living requires steady, visible progress on safety.