Wombwell Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wombwell’s January 2025 crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents matches the UK average exactly, a rare alignment that highlights the area’s position within national trends. The crime profile reflects a mix of persistent challenges and seasonal shifts, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 36.9% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.4%) and criminal damage and arson (11.7%). This distribution aligns with patterns typical of a mid-sized built-up area within Barnsley, where community tensions and property-related disputes may contribute to the prevalence of these categories. January, a post-holiday month with shorter daylight hours and reduced retail activity, likely influences the lower frequency of shoplifting and other thefts from the person, which are often linked to festive shopping periods. However, the prominence of public order offences and anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing pressures in communal spaces, possibly exacerbated by colder weather driving more indoor gatherings. The balance between property and violent crimes remains relatively stable, with property offences comprising 30.6% of the total (34 incidents) and violent crimes making up 36.9% (41 incidents), indicating a moderate risk profile for residents. These figures contrast with the UK average for specific categories—public order offences in Wombwell are 74% above the national rate, while vehicle crime is 27% below, a discrepancy that may reflect local infrastructure or policing priorities. The data underscores the importance of contextual factors in shaping crime patterns, even when overall rates align with national benchmarks.

January 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with public order offences surging by 140% (from 5 to 12 incidents) compared to December. This sharp increase may be linked to the post-holiday period, when social tensions and alcohol-related incidents often rise in colder months. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 50% (from 2 to 1 incident), possibly due to reduced retail footfall and shorter trading hours during January. Violent crimes also declined by 30.5% (from 59 to 41 incidents), a notable drop that could reflect seasonal factors such as fewer outdoor events and gatherings. However, criminal damage and arson remained 57% above the UK average, suggesting persistent challenges in managing anti-social behaviour and property-related disputes. Vehicle crime, at 0.3 per 1,000, was 27% below the UK average—a figure that may reflect effective local policing strategies or the absence of high-traffic areas typically associated with vehicle theft. For residents, the 140% increase in public order offences is a critical insight, indicating a need for heightened awareness in communal spaces during the winter months. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, where specific categories can fluctuate dramatically even as overall rates remain stable.

Wombwell’s January 2025 crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents is identical to the UK average, marking a notable contrast with the previous month’s rate of 8.4 per 1,000—a 15.9% decrease. This decline suggests a moderation in local crime pressures, though the absolute number of incidents (111) remains consistent with typical patterns for a built-up area of this size. On a daily basis, Wombwell recorded approximately 4 crimes per day in January, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area’s exposure to a range of localised issues. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 142 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is comparable to other similar communities. This statistic provides context for residents, illustrating that while the overall rate is average, the distribution of crime types within Wombwell diverges from national norms. For instance, public order offences are 74% above the UK average, indicating a higher concentration of incidents in areas where community engagement and policing strategies may require refinement. Conversely, vehicle crime is 27% below the national rate, a difference that could reflect the area’s infrastructure, such as limited high-traffic zones or targeted interventions. These comparisons highlight the importance of understanding local crime dynamics beyond raw numbers, as Wombwell’s profile reveals both alignment with and divergence from broader national trends.