Rural Ashford Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Rural Ashford, 4.9 crimes were reported in September 2023—a rate 38.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly three crimes per day for the built-up area’s 19,665 residents, a figure that may help contextualise the everyday likelihood of encountering crime. The most common offence category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 44.8% of all crimes (43 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (10.4%) and burglary (10.4%). These patterns may be influenced by the area’s character as a rural built-up zone, where limited public spaces and community ties could both deter and, in some cases, contribute to interpersonal conflicts. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university freshers’ week—may have played a role in shaping these figures, as increased foot traffic in local areas could heighten opportunities for both violent and anti-social incidents. However, the area’s lower-than-average burglary rate (0.5 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 suggests that rural isolation and fewer high-value targets may reduce the appeal of such crimes. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) aligns with the characteristics of a smaller, less densely populated area where traditional retail and automotive crime hotspots are less prevalent. These statistics collectively illustrate a community where crime is both less frequent and, in some categories, significantly less severe than the UK average, though the underlying factors remain a subject of further analysis.

September saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with burglary increasing by 42.9% (from 7 to 10 incidents) and public order offences rising by 75% (from 4 to 7). These increases, though modest in absolute terms, may reflect seasonal dynamics such as the start of the academic year, which can bring more foot traffic to local areas and create opportunities for anti-social behaviour. Conversely, vehicle crime fell sharply by 57.1% (from 7 to 3), a trend consistent with reduced outdoor activity as evenings grew darker earlier in the month. The category of 'other crime' saw a 100% increase, from one to two incidents, suggesting either a small but significant shift in reporting or a rise in less common offences. Violent crimes in the area remain 20% below the UK average, with 43 incidents reported in September—equivalent to 2.2 per 1,000 residents. This contrast with the UK-wide rate may partly explain the area’s overall lower crime profile, though the exact reasons for this disparity remain unclear without further data.

In September 2023, Rural Ashford recorded a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, a 4.1% decline from the previous month’s rate of 5.1. This equates to approximately three crimes reported daily across the built-up area, a figure that may help residents contextualise the frequency of incidents in their daily lives. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 205 residents, highlighting the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. The population context further illustrates this: with 19,665 residents, the area’s crime statistics reflect a community where most individuals are unlikely to directly encounter crime during a typical month. While the daily crime count remains consistent with historical patterns for rural areas, the drop from August to September suggests seasonal factors, such as the transition to shorter evenings and the start of the academic year, may have temporarily reduced opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the absence of a UK-wide daily crime comparison means these figures should be interpreted within the local context alone.