Cudworth and Shafton Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 saw a stark rise in specific crime types within Cudworth and Shafton, a built-up area within Barnsley, despite an overall crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 — 24% below the UK average of 7.5. The most significant concern was the 350% increase in burglary, which rose from 2 to 9 incidents. This spike, occurring against the backdrop of Black Friday shopping and the transition into darker evenings, may partly explain the shift in criminal activity. While violent crimes accounted for 38% of all reported incidents (27 cases), these were 15% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. Anti-social behaviour also remained low, at 33% below the national benchmark, possibly reflecting community engagement efforts or seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity. However, the sharp rise in burglary highlights vulnerabilities in property security, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or unoccupied homes during the holiday season. The seasonal context of November — marked by Bonfire Night and the start of the festive shopping period — may have influenced patterns, with opportunistic crimes exploiting the chaos of high-traffic events or the increased presence of valuable goods in retail areas. This data underscores the need for targeted awareness around home security, especially as the year-end rush intensifies.

November 2023 brought sharp increases in burglary, other theft, and bicycle theft compared to October, with burglary rising by 350% (2 to 9 cases) — a dramatic shift that warrants immediate attention. This surge in property-related crimes contrasts with the 83.3% drop in public order offences, which fell from 6 to 1, potentially linked to the conclusion of Bonfire Night events or heightened policing in public spaces. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained a significant portion of the total (38%), though they were 15% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. The 106% increase in burglary compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000) raises concerns, as this category is often associated with areas experiencing economic strain or housing instability. Residents should be particularly vigilant in securing homes and vehicles during the holiday season, given the 200% rise in other theft and the 100% jump in bicycle theft — both of which may reflect opportunistic targeting of unattended items. While anti-social behaviour and public order offences declined, the overall crime mix remains skewed toward property crimes, suggesting a need for focused prevention strategies in residential and retail zones.

Cudworth and Shafton's crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 in November 2023 represents a 22.9% decrease from October's 7.4 per 1,000, indicating a general trend toward lower crime over the past month. However, this overall reduction masks significant variations in specific categories. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a built-up urban setting. When scaled to the population of 12,389 residents, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 174 residents highlights that every resident faces a measurable risk, albeit at a level lower than the UK average. The contrast between the 106% above-average burglary rate and the 33% below-average anti-social behaviour rate suggests a combination of local conditions — possibly including a higher concentration of properties in need of repair or a stronger community response to disruptive behaviour. While the area's overall safety profile remains better than the UK average, the sharp rise in burglary indicates that targeted interventions in property crime prevention could yield significant benefits, particularly as the year-end shopping period continues to draw attention to high-value items in residential and commercial zones.