Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 7,699 residents, Bolton upon Dearne recorded 57 crimes in December 2024, equating to a crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 people — 4.2% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure translates to one reported crime occurring for every 135 residents over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (22.8%) and criminal damage and arson (14.0%). These patterns align with seasonal factors in December, including the Christmas shopping peak, extended periods of darkness, and the likelihood of empty homes during holiday absences. The higher-than-average rate for violent crimes (3.1 per 1,000, 21% above the UK average) may reflect increased tensions in public spaces during the festive season or the impact of local social dynamics. Anti-social behaviour, which was 81% above the UK average, could be linked to heightened alcohol consumption in the area during the month. Meanwhile, property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime remained relatively low, with burglary at 0.3 per 1,000 (3% below the UK average) and vehicle crime at 0.1 per 1,000 (75% below the UK average). This suggests that while personal safety concerns are elevated, property-related crime remains a less pressing issue in the area compared to national trends. The seasonal context of December — with its combination of commercial activity, social gatherings, and reduced daylight — likely contributes to the observed crime patterns, though local factors such as community engagement and policing strategies would need further analysis to fully explain these trends.

December 2024 saw a 16.4% increase in the overall crime rate compared to November, driven by a 100% rise in robberies (from 0 to 3 incidents) and a 100% increase in public order offences (from 1 to 2). These jumps in violent and public order crimes may be linked to the festive season’s associated pressures, including crowded public spaces and increased alcohol consumption. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell sharply by 66.7% (from 3 to 1 incident), possibly reflecting reduced vehicle usage during the holidays or increased security measures in parking areas. Other theft decreased by 40.0% (from 5 to 3 incidents), though this category remains 26% below the UK average. Violent crimes in Bolton upon Dearne were 21% above the UK average (3.1 vs 2.6 per 1,000), highlighting a particular vulnerability in this category compared to national trends. Conversely, burglary and other theft categories were closer to or below the UK average, suggesting that property crime is not the primary concern for residents. The 100% increase in possession of weapons (from 0 to 1 incident) raises specific concerns about public safety, though the small number of incidents makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about underlying trends. These fluctuations underscore the importance of monitoring month-on-month changes to identify emerging patterns and allocate resources effectively.

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime rate in December 2024 (7.4 per 1,000) marked a 16.4% increase from November’s rate of 6.4 per 1,000, reflecting a clear upward trend in reported incidents over the past month. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in December, a figure that, while not extreme, represents a tangible presence of criminal activity in a relatively small community. Over the course of the month, this translated to one reported crime for every 135 residents — a statistic that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance in a densely populated built-up area. When compared to the UK average, the area’s overall crime rate (7.4 vs 7.1) highlights a slight but consistent deviation from national norms, with the most pronounced gaps seen in violent crime and anti-social behaviour. For residents, this means that while the likelihood of encountering crime is not significantly higher than in other parts of the country, specific local factors — such as the area’s proximity to Barnsley’s urban core or its seasonal dynamics — may contribute to the observed patterns. The contrast between higher rates of violent and anti-social crime and lower rates of property crime suggests that community-focused policing and local initiatives targeting public order issues could be particularly impactful in addressing the area’s unique challenges.