Kirkby-in-Ashfield Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 marked a notable upward trend in Kirkby-in-Ashfield's crime profile, with the overall crime rate rising to 12.3 per 1,000 residents — 64% above the UK average of 7.5. This stark divergence from national figures suggests a unique local dynamic, potentially influenced by the area’s character as a built-up district within Ashfield. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.5% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.1%) and shoplifting (11.9%). These patterns may reflect the area’s mix of residential and commercial spaces, where public interactions and retail activity could contribute to higher rates of disorder and theft. Seasonal factors also likely played a role: Easter holidays and spring weather typically boost outdoor activity, which may correlate with increased anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. The sharp rise in shoplifting — 212% above the UK average — could be linked to the area’s retail presence, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this connection. Meanwhile, violent crime remains high, with a 46% gap compared to national rates, indicating a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas or times. The data underscores the importance of understanding local context when interpreting crime trends, as national averages may not fully capture the nuances of smaller communities.

April 2023 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in Kirkby-in-Ashfield’s crime profile, with bicycle theft surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents) and drug-related offences doubling (from 1 to 3). These spikes, while small in absolute terms, may signal emerging trends — such as increased cycling during spring or heightened drug activity near local amenities. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 46.7% (from 30 to 16), possibly due to seasonal shifts or temporary reductions in vandalism. The crime mix also reveals striking disparities: violence and sexual offences (3.8 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (2.2 per 1,000) are both significantly above UK averages, with the latter 86% higher. This contrast highlights the area’s particular vulnerabilities, which may stem from its built-up nature and community interactions. For residents, the 300% increase in bicycle theft is a tangible concern, especially for those reliant on cycling for commuting or recreation. Meanwhile, burglary remains in line with the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), suggesting that property crime is not the primary driver of the area’s elevated overall rate. These findings point to a combination of local conditions and broader national trends, warranting closer examination of specific hotspots or contributing factors.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield’s crime rate in April 2023 (12.3 per 1,000) represented a 20.8% increase from March’s rate of 10.2, reflecting a growing trend that diverges sharply from the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 8 crimes per day — a figure that, while localised, provides a concrete sense of the frequency of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 81 residents, underscoring the density of reported incidents relative to the population of 19,749. This monthly exposure rate is particularly striking when compared to the UK average, which would translate to significantly lower individual risk. The population context further highlights the scale: with 19,749 residents, the 243 total crimes equate to a rate that is both statistically and practically meaningful for the community. While the overall rate is alarmingly high, the breakdown reveals that certain crime types — such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting — are elevated, which may reflect the area’s specific social or economic characteristics. These figures serve as a reminder that local crime trends are shaped by a combination of demographic, geographic, and temporal factors, all of which must be considered when assessing the area’s safety profile.