Kirkby-in-Ashfield Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Kirkby-in-Ashfield's anti-social behaviour rate in October 2024 stood at 2.1 per 1,000 residents, 63% above the UK average for this category. This stark deviation from national trends highlights a pressing local concern, with 42 incidents reported—nearly a quarter of all crimes recorded in the area. The surge coincides with seasonal factors: shorter evenings following the clocks’ retreat and Halloween festivities, which may have amplified public gatherings and alcohol-related incidents. Meanwhile, shoplifting emerged as the second most prevalent crime, with 28 cases reported—94% above the UK average for this category. The built-up area’s retail presence, particularly around Ashfield’s main thoroughfares, likely contributes to this trend, though the sharp 460% month-on-month increase from five to 28 cases suggests a specific trigger, such as seasonal shopping or targeted retail crime patterns. Violent crimes, however, fell 29% below the UK average, with 37 incidents recorded. This contrasts with the national profile, where violent crime typically dominates, and may reflect the area’s relatively stable demographics or effective community policing efforts. The overall crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents—2.5% above the UK average—suggests a nuanced picture: while certain categories are elevated, others remain well below national benchmarks. The seasonal context of October—diminishing daylight, school term changes, and local events—may have influenced patterns, though the precise interplay between these factors and crime remains to be fully understood.

October 2024 saw dramatic increases in shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and robbery, with shoplifting cases surging by 460% from five to 28. This leap, though unexplained by the data, may be linked to pre-Christmas retail activity or targeted tactics by offenders. Anti-social behaviour, already elevated at 2.1 per 1,000, rose by 200% month-on-month, reaching 42 incidents—nearly a quarter of all crimes. This spike aligns with Halloween’s proximity, though the lack of a direct causal link in the data means other factors, such as local events or social dynamics, may have played a role. Robbery, a rare occurrence, doubled from zero to one case, a 100% increase. This anomaly could reflect isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 35.7%, from 14 to nine cases, and public order offences dropped by 28.6%, from 14 to 10. These decreases may reflect seasonal shifts, such as fewer large gatherings or the winding down of summer activities. Vehicle crime and burglary both fell below UK averages, with vehicle crime at 0.3 per 1,000 (36% below the UK rate) and burglary at 0.2 per 1,000 (39% below). This suggests that the area’s built-up nature—with secure parking and residential layouts—may reduce opportunities for these crimes. Residents may find the 94% above UK average for shoplifting particularly concerning, as it indicates a significant local vulnerability in retail environments.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield’s crime rate in October 2024 rose by 49% compared to the previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000, reaching 8.3 per 1,000. This jump, while notable, must be contextualised within the area’s population of 19,749. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly five crimes per day in October—a figure that, while not unusual for a built-up area, underscores the need for consistent community engagement. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 120 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while modest compared to larger urban centres, reflects the area’s relatively low population density and the impact of concentrated incidents in specific categories. Comparing Kirkby-in-Ashfield’s profile to the UK average reveals a mixed picture: while anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are significantly above national rates, violent crime and vehicle-related offences are below. This divergence may be attributed to the area’s character as a commuter-focused built-up area, where retail and social hubs create opportunities for certain crimes but may limit others through structured land use. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, despite the 2.5% above UK average overall rate, the area’s crime burden is not heavy compared to its size, suggesting that local policing and community initiatives may have mitigated broader risks.