Darfield Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Darfield’s crime rate in April 2024 stood at 11.7 per 1,000 residents, 51.9% above the UK average of 7.7. This stark deviation from national trends is driven by a combination of factors, including a surge in 'other crime'—a category that rose 350% from March and is 650% above the UK average. The area’s most prevalent offences in April were violence and sexual offences (22 cases, 25.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (18 cases, 20.7%) and criminal damage and arson (10 cases, 11.5%). These figures align with the seasonal context of April, a month marked by the Easter holiday and the transition to spring, which typically brings increased outdoor activity and social gatherings. While anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are higher than UK averages, shoplifting and public order offences fell below national levels, with shoplifting at 40% below the UK average. This mixed pattern may reflect local characteristics, such as the built-up nature of Darfield within Barnsley, where community density could both amplify certain types of crime and limit others. The higher rates of violent crime and property damage compared to the UK may also be influenced by the area’s proximity to industrial or commuter zones, though further analysis would be required to confirm such links. Overall, the data underscores the need for targeted interventions in categories like 'other crime', which saw an unprecedented spike, while also highlighting areas where local conditions may be mitigating national trends.

The most striking shift in April was the 350% surge in 'other crime', which jumped from 2 to 9 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified or less common offences, is 650% above the UK average, raising questions about unaddressed issues in the local crime profile. Concurrently, 'other theft' rose 150% (2 to 5), and drug-related crimes doubled from 0 to 2, both of which are significantly above national benchmarks. In contrast, public order offences fell by 40%, dropping from 5 to 3—a decline that may reflect seasonal changes, such as reduced outdoor gatherings during Easter. Burglary also decreased by 33.3%, from 9 to 6, though it remains 150% above the UK average. These shifts highlight a complex mix of rising and falling trends, with the spike in 'other crime' standing out as a potential area for deeper investigation into local enforcement or reporting patterns.

Darfield's crime rate in April 2024 rose to 11.7 per 1,000 residents, a 29.9% increase from March’s 9.0 per 1,000. This brings the area’s rate 51.9% above the UK average, a disparity that has widened over recent months. Daily crime figures show an average of 3 crimes reported each day in April, a pace that, while steady, reflects the area’s elevated risk profile. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 86 residents, a figure that underscores the density of incidents in a relatively small population of 7,470. When contextualised against the UK’s broader crime profile, Darfield’s rate appears high, particularly in categories such as anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which are 97% and 120% above national averages, respectively. These figures suggest that local factors—such as community dynamics, enforcement patterns, or seasonal activity—may be amplifying the area’s vulnerability compared to the national trend.