Penistone Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

November 2025 saw an unexpected surge in criminal damage and arson in Penistone, a built-up area within Barnsley, marking a 300% increase from the previous month. This sharp rise in property-related offences contrasts with a notable 26.3% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.8% of all crimes. The overall crime rate for the month stood at 4.2 per 1,000 residents, placing Penistone 42.5% below the UK average of 7.3 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends suggests local factors may be influencing crime patterns. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and extended darkness—likely plays a role in shaping these dynamics. While shoplifting and public order offences remained consistent with prior months, the dramatic spike in criminal damage and arson raises questions about potential catalysts, such as increased vandalism during festive events or unseasonably cold weather prompting property-related incidents. The area's relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average, despite the surge in specific categories, highlights the complexity of local crime trends and the need to consider both seasonal and community-specific influences.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 300% increase in criminal damage and arson, jumping from 1 to 4 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 200% rise in shoplifting and burglary, contrasts sharply with a 62.5% drop in anti-social behaviour and a 50% reduction in 'other crime'. Violent crimes fell by 26.3%, from 19 to 14, though this category remains significantly below the UK average (38% below). Shoplifting, now at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, exceeds the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 by 11%, potentially linked to Black Friday shopping activity. Anti-social behaviour dropped to 3 incidents—down from 8 in October—possibly reflecting the impact of community initiatives or seasonal shifts in public behaviour. The data also reveals that bicycle theft, though minimal (1 incident), is 67% above the UK average, a figure that could signal local vulnerabilities in securing personal property during darker evenings.

Penistone's November 2025 crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000 residents marked a 2.6% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000, indicating a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that, while low, underscores the potential for sporadic incidents in a small built-up area. When scaled to the population of 8,877 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 240 residents—a ratio that places Penistone among the safer areas in the UK. This low incidence, despite the rise in specific categories like criminal damage and arson, suggests effective local policing or community engagement strategies. The contrast with the UK average further highlights the area's unique characteristics, possibly influenced by its location within Barnsley and the absence of major urban centres. Residents may find the 1-in-240 monthly exposure figure particularly reassuring, though the 300% increase in criminal damage and arson warrants attention to localized factors such as seasonal events or environmental vulnerabilities.