Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences in Bolton upon Dearne during August 2023 were 67% higher than the UK average, marking the most significant deviation in the area’s crime profile. The overall crime rate stood at 9.6 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 18.5% above the national average of 8.1. Violence and sexual offences (34 incidents) accounted for 46% of all recorded crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (14 incidents, 18.9%) and anti-social behaviour (9 incidents, 12.2%). This stark overrepresentation of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences account for 2.6 per 1,000. The seasonal context of August—typically a peak holiday month—may contribute to heightened tensions in public spaces. The area’s crime picture reflects a combination of local factors, including potential pressures from transient populations during the summer, and the absence of mitigating factors such as robust community policing or targeted interventions. The relatively high rate of criminal damage and arson (186% above the UK average) suggests a need for closer examination of property-related disputes or vandalism patterns, which may be exacerbated by the presence of empty homes during the holiday season. This month’s data underscores the importance of contextualising crime trends within both national benchmarks and local rhythms, such as the influx of visitors to nearby tourist attractions.

August 2023 saw a 250% increase in criminal damage and arson cases, rising from 4 to 14 incidents—a sharp upward trend that far outpaces the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. Public order offences also surged by 66.7%, with 5 incidents reported compared to 3 in July, indicating potential strain on local policing during the summer. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 40% (from 5 to 3 incidents), possibly reflecting reduced car usage during the holiday period or increased security measures in residential areas. The dominance of violent crime—accounting for nearly half of all recorded incidents—raises questions about the effectiveness of existing crime prevention strategies in addressing interpersonal conflicts. Anti-social behaviour incidents were 17% below the UK average, suggesting that local efforts to manage disorder may be yielding some results. For residents, the 33.3% increase in burglary (from 3 to 4 incidents) highlights the need for vigilance, particularly in areas with vacant properties during the summer. These fluctuations underscore the combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and policing priorities in shaping the area’s crime profile.

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime rate in August 2023 (9.6 per 1,000) represented a 3.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 10.0, reflecting a slight improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that aligns with the area’s built-up nature and proximity to Barnsley’s urban core. When scaled to the population of 7,699 residents, this translates to one reported crime for every 104 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that, while higher than the UK average, remains relatively manageable for a small urban area. The comparison to the UK average highlights both strengths and weaknesses in local crime management: while anti-social behaviour incidents were 17% below the national average, the overrepresentation of violent and property-related crimes suggests targeted interventions may be required. Residents should note that the 1-in-104 monthly exposure rate does not account for unreported crimes or variations in policing coverage, and thus should be interpreted alongside other contextual factors such as community engagement initiatives or the presence of local support services. This monthly snapshot offers a nuanced view of how the area’s crime profile both mirrors and diverges from national trends.