Penistone Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Penistone's crime profile in April 2024, accounting for 14 of the 33 reported crimes — 42.4% of the total. This category alone records a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 residents, 38% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The overall crime rate of 3.7 per 1,000 for Penistone is 51.9% lower than the national average of 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to the UK as a whole. Seasonal factors in April — including Easter and the transition to spring — may partly explain patterns such as the 14 violent incidents, which could align with increased outdoor activity and social interactions in the area. Property crimes, while lower in absolute numbers (12 total), are also well below UK averages, with shoplifting and vehicle crime both reporting rates 70% and 36% below national levels respectively. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, is 59% below the UK average, suggesting community cohesion efforts may be effective. The breakdown illustrates a crime picture shaped by Penistone's character as a built-up area within Barnsley, where local infrastructure and seasonal rhythms influence crime trends more than broader national patterns.

April 2024 saw a 40% month-on-month increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 10 to 14 incidents. This surge, while still below the UK average, may reflect heightened social activity during Easter. Shoplifting rose sharply by 100% (from 0 to 2 cases), though it remains 70% below the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. Conversely, burglary dropped by 85.7% (from 7 to 1 case), potentially linked to increased police presence or seasonal changes in property vulnerability. Public order offences fell by 50%, and anti-social behaviour decreased by 33.3%, both indicating possible improvements in community management. Criminal damage and arson (5 cases) and other crime (2 cases) are the only categories slightly above UK averages, with the former 2% above and the latter 25% above. These anomalies may warrant closer attention, though their small numbers suggest limited systemic issues. For residents, the 3.7 per 1,000 crime rate — 51.9% below the UK average — provides a clear benchmark for local safety compared to national standards.

Penistone's crime rate in April 2024 (3.7 per 1,000) marks a 15.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.4 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 269 residents — a monthly exposure rate that highlights the sparse nature of criminal activity in Penistone. When scaled to the local population of 8,877, the 33 total crimes represent a manageable level of risk for residents. This contrasts sharply with the UK average, where 7.7 crimes per 1,000 residents are reported. The comparison suggests that Penistone's built-up area within Barnsley maintains a safer environment than the national average, particularly in categories like violence and property crime. The 15.3% month-on-month reduction, combined with the 51.9% gap below the UK average, reinforces the area's position as a relatively low-crime locale, even as specific categories like criminal damage and arson remain slightly above national benchmarks.