Wombwell Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

December 2023 marked a combination of trends in Wombwell, a built-up area within Barnsley, where the overall crime rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents placed the area 5.6% above the UK average of 7.2. This rate, while modest compared to larger urban centres, highlights persistent challenges in a community shaped by its industrial heritage and seasonal rhythms. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 34.5% of all incidents, a figure slightly below the UK average for this category. This could reflect the area's demographic composition, with a mix of long-term residents and transient workers, though the seasonal context of Christmas shopping and dark evenings may have contributed to the elevated violence rate. Vehicle crime, at 1.1 per 1,000, was 144% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the significantly lower rates of theft from the person, which were 44% below the national benchmark. These disparities may be linked to the area's infrastructure, with limited public transport options increasing reliance on personal vehicles. The seasonal context of December—characterised by extended periods of darkness, holiday-related travel, and the temporary absence of some residents—likely influenced the crime profile, with vehicle crime and burglary exacerbated by unoccupied homes and reduced visibility. However, the 15.1% month-on-month decline in overall crime, from 8.9 to 7.6, suggests a possible stabilisation of local security measures or the impact of community initiatives. This data, while not exhaustive, provides a snapshot of Wombwell's evolving crime picture, shaped by both local factors and broader national trends.

December 2023 saw a significant shift in Wombwell's crime profile, with vehicle crime surging by 100% compared to November, driven by a doubling of reported incidents. This jump, from nine to eighteen cases, places vehicle crime 144% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, suggesting a possible link to holiday-related traffic or unsecured vehicles during festive periods. Conversely, public order offences fell by two-thirds, declining from twelve to four, potentially reflecting reduced nightlife activity or heightened community efforts during the Christmas season. The most striking individual change was the 100% increase in theft from the person, with one reported incident in December compared to none in November—a sharp contrast to the UK average, which stood at 0.2 per 1,000. Meanwhile, burglary remained 186% above the UK average, with sixteen incidents recorded, a figure that may be influenced by the area's built-up character and seasonal patterns of empty homes. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and broader national trends.

Wombwell's December 2023 crime rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents marks a 15.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.9. This decline suggests a shifting trend in local crime dynamics. above the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately four crimes per day in December, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 132 residents, highlighting the relative frequency of incidents in a compact built-up area. This monthly exposure rate, while modest, underscores the importance of local vigilance during periods of heightened activity. The population context—15,732 residents—further illustrates how crime is distributed across the community, with no single demographic group dominating the statistics. These figures, while not directly comparable to UK-wide metrics, offer a snapshot of Wombwell's specific challenges and improvements.