Dodworth Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences emerged as the dominant crime category in Dodworth during February 2024, accounting for 35.3% of the 34 total incidents recorded. This category, with 12 cases at a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents, remains 20% below the UK average for the same type of crime. The area's overall crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents places it 19.7% below the UK average of 7.1, reflecting a relatively low-risk profile compared to national benchmarks. However, the local breakdown reveals stark contrasts within specific categories: criminal damage and arson, at 1.3 per 1,000 residents, is 141% above the UK average, while possession of weapons is 329% above the national rate. These figures suggest that while Dodworth's overall safety is strong, certain crime types—particularly those linked to property and public disorder—require targeted attention. The seasonal context of February, a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may contribute to these patterns. For example, the surge in criminal damage and arson could align with colder weather conditions that limit outdoor activity but may also see increased indoor gatherings or neglect of property. Conversely, the lower-than-average rates for shoplifting and other theft may be consistent with Dodworth's character as a built-up area within Barnsley, where retail presence is less concentrated than in major urban centres. The balance between violent and property crimes—violence accounting for 35.3% and property crimes for 47.1%—further highlights the dual focus on addressing interpersonal conflict and safeguarding property. These trends, while influenced by seasonal factors, also reflect the area's unique socio-economic and geographic context, which may differ from broader UK patterns.

February 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Criminal damage and arson surged by 100%, rising from 4 to 8 incidents, marking a sharp increase that may reflect heightened vandalism or arson activity during the winter period. Concurrently, possession of weapons and public order offences both doubled, moving from zero to two cases each, suggesting potential spikes in incidents related to conflict or disorder. These increases contrast with declines in vehicle crime, burglary, and anti-social behaviour, which fell by 66.7%, 40%, and 33.3% respectively. The drop in vehicle crime could indicate improved security measures or reduced outdoor activity during colder weather. Meanwhile, the violent crime category—violence and sexual offences—remains below the UK average by 20%, despite its dominance in the local breakdown. This divergence highlights the area's unique profile compared to national trends, with property crimes also showing mixed results: burglary and criminal damage are above UK averages, but other theft and shoplifting are below. For residents, the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson may warrant attention to local community safety initiatives or environmental factors.

Dodworth's crime rate in February 2024 rose by 31.0% compared to the previous month, reflecting a shift in local patterns. While the overall rate remains 19.7% below the UK average, the increase underscores fluctuating dynamics within the built-up area. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 177 residents, illustrating the scale of exposure in a community of 6,012 people. This monthly aggregate highlights that, despite the rise, the area's crime profile remains comparatively low nationally. The population context further shows that even with the increase, the absolute number of crimes (34) is modest, suggesting that local factors rather than systemic trends may be influencing the data. The contrast between the previous month's 4.3 per 1,000 rate and the current 5.7 per 1,000 rate indicates a temporary uptick, possibly linked to seasonal or situational changes.