Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime profile in March 2023 positioned it as one of the safer built-up areas within Barnsley, with an overall crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents—10.5% below the UK average of 7.6. This figure, while modest, reflects a pattern of relatively low violent crime and property crime compared to national benchmarks. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents, a share slightly lower than the UK average of 37.2% for this category. The seasonal context of March, with its transition to spring and the lengthening of evenings, may have influenced activity patterns, though the absence of a dramatic spike in public order offences suggests that local factors, such as community cohesion or effective policing, could be tempering risk. Anti-social behaviour, at 13.5% of total crimes, was 13% below the UK average, linked to the area’s more compact, less densely populated nature compared to major cities. Meanwhile, the stark anomaly of 'other crime'—367% above the UK average—raises questions about how this category is being reported or categorised, though it may also highlight unmet needs in areas such as mental health support or informal dispute resolution. The relatively low rates for vehicle crime and burglary, both 17% and 9% below the UK average respectively, align with the area’s character as a semi-rural built-up zone, where fewer vehicles are parked in public spaces and homes may be more securely occupied. These patterns illustrate how geographic and demographic factors shape crime trends, even within a single region like South Yorkshire.

March 2023 saw a notable shift in crime composition, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents—slightly below the UK average for this category. This contrasts with the 367% increase in 'other crime' compared to the UK, a category that includes unclassified or less common offences, suggesting potential gaps in reporting or categorisation. Meanwhile, bicycle theft emerged as a striking outlier, with a rate 329% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect local infrastructure or recreational patterns. The drop in anti-social behaviour by 13% compared to the UK average could indicate effective community engagement or seasonal factors, such as the transition to spring, which might reduce tensions in public spaces. For residents, the 5.8% rate of vehicle crime—17% below the UK average—offers a concrete example of how local conditions, such as limited parking or lower traffic density, may contribute to lower exposure to this type of crime.

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime rate in March 2023 remained 10.5% below the UK average, a consistent position for this built-up area within Barnsley. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of two reported incidents per day over the month, reflecting a relatively low frequency of criminal activity compared to larger urban centres. When considering the local population of 7,699 residents, the monthly exposure figure shows that one crime occurred for roughly every 148 residents—a rate that, while not negligible, suggests a level of safety that contrasts with more densely populated regions. This monthly aggregate highlights the importance of localised factors, such as community policing efforts or demographic characteristics, in shaping crime patterns. The area’s lower-than-average rates for public order offences and vehicle crime may align with its rural-adjacent character, where fewer public spaces and limited nightlife reduce opportunities for such crimes. However, the significant disparity in other crime categories—such as bicycle theft and anti-social behaviour—underscores the need for targeted interventions that address specific local vulnerabilities without overgeneralising from national trends.