Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime rate in March 2024 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 36.4% below the UK average of 7.7. This marks a significant divergence from the national picture, reflecting a safer environment relative to the broader UK context. Violence and sexual offences were the most prevalent category, accounting for 42.1% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.2%) and public order offences (10.5%). These figures suggest a crime profile skewed toward interpersonal and community-related issues rather than property crime. Seasonal context may partly explain these patterns: as March transitions into spring, longer evenings and the shift in daylight hours could influence social interactions and crime opportunities. The relatively low rates of property crime, such as burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.3 per 1,000), are 69% and 36% below UK averages respectively, indicating a lower incidence of theft and vandalism compared to other areas. This contrast with the UK-wide trend of higher property crime rates may reflect local factors, such as community engagement, policing strategies, or the built environment’s design, which could reduce opportunities for such offences. However, the dominance of violent crime remains a critical area for attention, requiring targeted interventions to address root causes such as social tensions or alcohol-related incidents in public spaces.

March 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with 'Other crime' increasing by 100% compared to February, rising from zero to three reported incidents. This category, which includes activities like fraud or white-collar crime, may reflect underreported issues or changes in reporting practices. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 50% (from four to two incidents), alongside a 50% drop in drug-related offences and burglary. These decreases could align with seasonal patterns, such as reduced outdoor activity during colder months or improved community policing efforts in key areas. The breakdown of crime types also reveals stark contrasts with UK averages: violence and sexual offences in Bolton upon Dearne are 21% below the national rate, while 'Other crime' is 167% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly in 'Other crime' warrants scrutiny, though it may relate to specific local factors such as unregistered businesses or transient populations. The balance between violent and property crime also shifted slightly, with violent crime making up 42.1% of the total compared to 21% in the UK. This suggests a higher proportion of interpersonal conflicts in the area, influenced by local demographics or community dynamics.

Bolton upon Dearne’s crime rate in March 2024 (4.9 per 1,000) represents a 23.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.5, indicating a downward trend in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, highlights the persistent nature of crime in even small communities. When scaled to the population of 7,699 residents, this translates to one reported crime for every 203 residents over the course of the month—a rate that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. The population context further illustrates this: with a smaller resident base, even minor fluctuations in crime can have a more pronounced impact on perceived safety. For example, the 100% increase in 'Other crime' from February to March, though numerically small (three incidents), may feel more significant in a tightly knit community. This contrast with the UK average, where crime rates are nearly double, reinforces the area’s position as a safer locale. However, the elevated 'Other crime' rate compared to the UK average raises questions about local vulnerabilities, which may require tailored approaches to address without overgeneralising national trends.