Wombwell Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2025, Wombwell’s crime rate stood at 8.5 per 1,000 residents, 4.9% above the UK average of 8.1. The balance between property and violent crime reveals a marked shift in the area’s crime profile, with violent crimes dominating at 51.5% of all reported incidents—double the share of property crimes (22.4%). This imbalance contrasts with the national trend, where property crimes often outnumber violent offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 69 incidents, a rate of 4.4 per 1,000, 55% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the national rate, remained a persistent issue, contributing 12.7% of all crimes. Seasonal factors likely play a role in this pattern: May’s longer evenings and bank holidays may have encouraged more outdoor socialising, increasing opportunities for violent incidents. The area’s character as a built-up part of Barnsley, with a mix of residential and commercial zones, could explain the concentration of violent crime in public spaces. Meanwhile, property crimes remained relatively low, with shoplifting and burglary both below the UK average. This suggests that community policing efforts in high-footfall areas may have mitigated property-related offences. However, the dominance of violent crime raises questions about local factors such as alcohol-related disputes or gang activity in specific neighbourhoods. The seasonal context—extended daylight and social events—may have amplified tensions in crowded areas, contributing to the elevated rate of violence. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions in spaces where violent crime is concentrated, while maintaining vigilance against emerging trends in other categories.

May 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with 'other crime' surging by 175% (4 to 11 incidents) and bicycle theft doubling from zero to one reported case. These spikes may reflect the emergence of new criminal activities or increased reporting due to heightened awareness. Conversely, burglary fell sharply by 80% (5 to 1), and other theft dropped by 75% (4 to 1), suggesting possible improvements in local security measures or reduced opportunities for these offences. Violent crimes, however, remained high, with violence and sexual offences at 4.4 per 1,000—55% above the UK average. This disparity highlights a growing concern for residents, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or late-night venues. Anti-social behaviour, while still present (1.1 per 1,000), was 23% below the UK average, indicating that community initiatives or local enforcement may have curbed disturbances. The month-on-month increase in violent crime contrasts with a 9% rise in the overall rate from April (7.8 to 8.5 per 1,000), suggesting a worsening trend in this category. Residents might find the 55% above-average rate for violence and sexual offences particularly alarming, as it represents a significant deviation from national norms. This could signal underlying issues such as increased alcohol consumption in public spaces or gaps in local policing during peak social hours. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, remains a consistent concern, requiring sustained attention to prevent escalation.

Compared to April 2025, Wombwell’s crime rate rose by 9% (7.8 to 8.5 per 1,000), with the most pronounced increase in violent crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly four crimes per day in May, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 117 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while not extreme, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, particularly in areas where violent crime is concentrated. The population context—Wombwell’s 15,732 residents—means that each resident faces a higher risk of encountering violence than the UK average, given the 55% above-average rate for violence and sexual offences. However, the area’s performance in other categories, such as anti-social behaviour (23% below UK average) and shoplifting (70% below), indicates that certain policing strategies or community efforts may be effective in reducing specific types of crime. The 8.5 per 1,000 rate also places Wombwell slightly above the UK average, but the gap is narrow, suggesting that local conditions are broadly similar to national trends. This comparison highlights the importance of addressing the 55% above-average rate for violent crime while maintaining progress in other areas. Residents may find the daily crime count (four incidents) a useful benchmark for understanding the frequency of incidents in their neighbourhood, though it is essential to contextualise this within the broader picture of Wombwell’s crime profile.