Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 7,699, Bolton upon Dearne recorded 53 crimes in December 2025, translating to a crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents—1.4% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This figure, while modest, reflects the area’s combination of social and environmental factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37.7% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.8%) and criminal damage and arson (15.1%). These patterns are consistent with a built-up area within Barnsley, where seasonal dynamics, such as Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the temporary absence of residents during holidays, may influence crime trends. The rise in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson could be linked to increased foot traffic in retail and leisure areas, or the challenges of managing vacant homes during the festive season. Meanwhile, the decline in violence and sexual offences may be attributed to reduced public gatherings or heightened community vigilance. The overall crime rate, though slightly below the UK average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where specific crime types—such as anti-social behaviour—remain high. The seasonal context of December, with its mix of festive activity and reduced daylight, likely contributes to the observed shifts in crime patterns, though the exact mechanisms remain to be explored.

December 2025 saw a dramatic 300% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 2 to 8 incidents—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This spike, though not uncommon during the festive season, underscores vulnerabilities in property security amid holiday-related disruptions. Conversely, other theft fell by 75%, dropping from four to one incident, possibly reflecting reduced retail activity or heightened awareness among residents. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category, declined by 42.9% from November’s 35 to 20, though they remain 1% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 11 incidents, was 51% higher than the UK average, a figure that may partly explain the area’s overall crime profile. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 33.3%, aligning with the UK average of 0.4 per 1,000. For residents, the 300% rise in criminal damage and arson offers a clear warning to review property security measures during the holiday season.

Bolton upon Dearne's crime rate in December 2025 dropped by 24.3% compared to November's 9.1 per 1,000, reflecting a marked decline. With 53 crimes reported over 31 days, the area experienced an average of two crimes per day—a pace that, while steady, remains lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 145 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents against the local population of 7,699. This monthly exposure rate suggests that the likelihood of encountering crime is relatively low for residents. The reduction in overall crime aligns with seasonal patterns typical of December, when holiday-related activities and reduced foot traffic in some areas may contribute to a decline in certain crime types. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson highlights a shift in risk factors, potentially linked to increased property-related incidents during the festive period.