Barnsley Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Barnsley's crime profile in November 2023 reveals a distinct emphasis on violent and anti-social offences, which together account for over 45% of all reported crimes. With a total crime rate of 9.1 per 1,000 residents—21.3% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000—the area's challenges are starkly evident. Violence and sexual offences alone constituted 33.2% of all crimes, a figure that is 16% higher than the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 12.6%, also significantly above the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000. These patterns suggest a concentration of incidents in areas with higher population density, such as the town centre and residential zones where social interactions are frequent. The seasonal context of November—marked by shorter days, Bonfire Night, and Black Friday shopping—may have influenced these trends. The darker evenings could have contributed to an increase in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, while the retail activity around Black Friday might have driven shoplifting rates, though they remained slightly below the UK average. However, the area's relatively high rates of criminal damage and arson (53% above UK average) and burglary (76% above UK average) indicate underlying issues that may be linked to socio-economic factors or property vulnerabilities in certain neighbourhoods. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas where violent and anti-social crimes are concentrated, alongside broader strategies to address property-related offences that affect Barnsley compared to the UK as a whole.

November 2023 saw notable shifts in Barnsley's crime mix, with several categories moving significantly from October. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 15.9% (from 902 to 759), which may reflect efforts by local authorities or seasonal factors such as the end of the academic term reducing youth-related incidents. However, possession of weapons increased sharply by 93.3% (from 15 to 29), a rise that could indicate either a surge in gang activity or the impact of seasonal events like Bonfire Night. Drug-related crimes also rose by 77.1% (from 35 to 62), linked to increased social interactions during the month. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 20.8% (from 365 to 289), which might suggest successful community engagement initiatives or the natural fluctuation of such incidents. The crime mix also revealed stark contrasts with UK averages: criminal damage and arson were 53% above the national rate, while theft from the person was 47% below. These discrepancies highlight the area's unique challenges, with property-related crimes and public order issues dominating the local crime profile. For residents, the significant increase in possession of weapons is a critical data point, underscoring the need for vigilance and community awareness in areas where such incidents have been reported.

Barnsley's crime rate in November 2023 (9.1 per 1,000) was 8.9% lower than the previous month's rate of 10.0 per 1,000, indicating a short-term decline in overall criminal activity. However, this reduction contrasts with the area's continued elevation above the UK average, which remains 21.3% higher. On a daily basis, Barnsley recorded approximately 76 crimes per day in November, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 110 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides context for residents, illustrating that while the rate is higher than the UK average, the absolute number of incidents is spread across a population of over 250,000. The comparison to the previous month also reveals that the decline in overall crime may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the end of the festive shopping period or the conclusion of term-time activities that can drive certain types of crime. However, the persistence of elevated rates in categories like burglary and criminal damage suggests that long-term structural issues remain. From a population-scaled perspective, Barnsley's higher-than-average crime rates highlight the importance of targeted policing and community-based strategies to address the specific vulnerabilities of the area, particularly in relation to property crimes and public order issues that consistently outpace national trends.