Bolton upon Dearne Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

February 2025 marked a complex shift in Bolton upon Dearne's crime profile, with a 35.9% increase in the overall crime rate compared to the previous month, though the area still maintained a 4.5% advantage over the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (26.5% of total), anti-social behaviour (18.4%), and criminal damage and arson (16.3%), reflecting patterns often seen in mixed-use built-up areas. The seasonal context of February — a winter month with low outdoor activity — may have influenced these trends, as reduced foot traffic in public spaces could have altered the dynamics of certain offences. For instance, the sharp rise in shoplifting (300% increase) and other theft (100% increase) may be linked to indoor retail environments remaining active during colder months, contrasting with the typical decline in outdoor crimes. Conversely, the 7.1% decrease in violence and sexual offences could align with the pre-spring lull in social gatherings. The area's anti-social behaviour rate, at 1.2 per 1,000, exceeded the UK average by 24%, a figure that may be partly explained by the density of residential and commercial zones in Bolton upon Dearne, where such incidents are more likely to occur. Meanwhile, the exceptionally high rate of criminal damage and arson (1.0 per 1,000) — 108% above the UK average — suggests a need for further investigation into local factors such as property maintenance or community engagement initiatives. These patterns underscore the importance of contextualising crime statistics within the area's unique geography and social fabric, even as broader national comparisons provide a useful benchmark.

February 2025 saw a dramatic surge in shoplifting, with incidents rising from 1 to 4 — a 300% increase — and other theft cases doubling from 2 to 4. Public order offences also rose sharply, jumping from 0 to 3, a 100% increase. These spikes contrast with a 7.1% decline in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 14 to 13. The area's violent crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 is 28% below the UK average for this category, suggesting a relative safety in this area despite the overall increase. However, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson both exceeded UK averages by 24% and 108% respectively, indicating persistent local challenges. For residents, the rise in shoplifting may signal a need for increased vigilance in retail areas, which are common in built-up towns like Bolton upon Dearne. The data also highlights a shift in the crime mix, with property-related offences (shoplifting, other theft, burglary) now accounting for a larger share of total crimes than violent offences, a change that could reflect seasonal or economic factors.

Bolton upon Dearne's crime rate in February 2025 rose by 35.9% compared to the previous month's rate of 4.7 per 1,000, reaching 6.4 per 1,000. This increase, while notable, remains 4.5% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. Daily crime data shows an average of two crimes reported per day over the 28-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 157 residents, a monthly exposure statistic that highlights the frequency of incidents within the population. This rate, when considered alongside the area's population of 7,699, provides a tangible sense of how crime interacts with daily life. The shift from the previous month underscores the volatility of crime patterns, particularly in categories such as shoplifting and public order offences, which saw sharp increases. These fluctuations may reflect seasonal or temporary factors, such as the transition into spring or changes in community activity levels, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections.