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

Kirkby-in-Ashfield's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 2.5% deficit compared to the UK average of 8.0. This figure, though modest, reflects a broader pattern of stability in a small built-up area within Ashfield, where crime rates typically remain below national benchmarks. The most prevalent category of crime was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.1% of all reported incidents—15% below the UK average. This suggests a potential correlation between the area's semi-rural character and lower levels of violent crime, possibly influenced by smaller community sizes and less concentrated nightlife activity. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 19.6% of total crimes, a category that often mirrors local social dynamics and community cohesion. The third most common crime type, shoplifting, was 55% above the UK average, a stark contrast that may be explained by the area's retail presence and foot traffic patterns. October's seasonal context—marked by darker evenings, Halloween, and the clocks going back—may have influenced crime patterns, reducing opportunities for certain offences while creating conditions conducive to others. The data also reveals a notable 200% increase in possession of weapons offences, though this remains a small absolute number. These figures, when considered alongside the area's population of nearly 20,000, illustrate a community where crime remains relatively contained but not immune to specific spikes in particular categories. The balance between violent and property crimes—46 violent and 58 property offences—suggests a mix of concerns, with property crimes slightly dominating but not to an extent that would suggest significant vulnerability. This profile aligns with the characteristics of a smaller built-up area within a larger rural district, where crime prevention efforts may be more focused on community engagement than large-scale policing initiatives.

October 2023 saw a 200% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from one to three incidents. This sharp rise, though still low in absolute terms, may signal a shift in local dynamics or unreported activity. Public order offences also surged by 80%, with reported cases climbing from five to nine—potentially linked to Halloween events or seasonal gatherings in the area. Conversely, drugs-related crimes fell sharply by 72.7%, dropping from 11 to three, a decline that may reflect targeted policing efforts or changes in community engagement. The breakdown of crime types reveals a distinct profile: while violence and sexual offences remain the most common category (30.1% of total crimes), shoplifting rates were 55% above the UK average, suggesting a particular vulnerability in retail spaces. This contrast with the 15% UK deficit in violent crimes illustrates the combination of local factors influencing different crime types.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield's crime rate in October 2023 fell to 7.8 per 1,000 residents, a 13.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.0. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal pattern observed in smaller towns during October, when shorter evenings and reduced foot traffic in retail areas may contribute to lower opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately five crimes reported each day in October, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 129 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low level of personal risk compared to larger urban centres. When considered alongside the area's population of nearly 20,000, this figure illustrates how crime remains distributed across a broader base, potentially reflecting the town's semi-rural character and lower population density compared to metropolitan areas.