Penistone Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Penistone’s November 2023 crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents marked a significant departure from the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, placing the area 54.7% below the national figure. The most striking finding was the unexpected surge in public order offences, which rose from zero to two incidents—a 100% increase—despite the area’s historically low levels of such crimes. This spike, coupled with a similar rise in drugs-related offences and 'other crime' categories, suggests that external factors such as Bonfire Night and the timing of Black Friday shopping may have influenced local dynamics. The area’s crime profile remains dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 40% of all incidents, with violence and sexual offences at 1.4 per 1,000 residents—46% below the UK average. This contrasts with the UK trend, where property crimes typically outnumber violent offences. The low rate of anti-social behaviour, at 0.3 per 1,000 residents (71% below the UK average), and the even lower rates for burglary (12% below UK) and public order offences (62% below UK) highlight Penistone’s relative safety. Seasonal factors such as darker evenings and the timing of events may have contributed to the rise in public order offences, though the overall crime rate remains stable compared to previous months. The area’s position within Barnsley—a region with mixed urban and rural characteristics—may also play a role in shaping crime patterns, with local initiatives contributing to the area’s consistently low crime rates.

November 2023 saw three crime types increase by 100% compared to October, with public order offences, drugs-related crimes, and 'other crime' all rising sharply. Public order offences, which had not been reported in October, now account for 6.7% of all crimes, a category that typically includes disturbances in public spaces and anti-social behaviour. This spike may be linked to seasonal events such as Bonfire Night, which can lead to increased public gatherings and associated disruptions. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 40%, dropping from five incidents to three—possibly due to the same seasonal factors, as shorter evenings and colder weather may reduce opportunities for such activities. The area’s violent crime rate remains significantly below the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 1.4 per 1,000 residents, 46% lower than the national figure. This contrast with the UK average is particularly stark for anti-social behaviour, which is 71% below the UK rate, suggesting that Penistone’s community may have effective local mechanisms for managing such issues. The shift in crime mix also highlights a notable trend: violent crimes now make up 40% of all incidents, compared to 30% for property crimes, a balance that diverges from the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate.

Penistone's crime rate in November 2023 rose by 7.3% compared to the previous month, increasing from 3.2 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This places the area firmly in the lower end of the UK crime spectrum, with the overall rate 54.7% below the national average of 7.5 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Penistone recorded an average of one crime per day over the month, a figure that may seem low but reflects the area’s relatively small population of 8,877. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 296 residents over the course of November—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. While the increase in the overall rate is modest, the area’s crime profile remains characterised by a strong emphasis on violent crimes, which accounted for 40% of all incidents, compared to property crimes at 30%. This balance may reflect local dynamics such as the town’s proximity to larger urban centres, where violent crime rates tend to be higher, or the influence of seasonal factors like darker evenings and events such as Bonfire Night. The comparison to the UK average highlights Penistone’s consistent position as a safer area, though the small month-on-month rise suggests that local conditions or external influences may be at play.