Retford Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category of crime in Retford during November 2023, accounting for 26% of all reported incidents. With a crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents—4% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000—the area's crime profile shows a mix of patterns influenced by seasonal factors. The dominance of violence-related crimes, at 45 cases, contrasts with the UK average rate of 2.6 per 1,000 for this category, suggesting a 27% lower incidence in Retford. This may partly reflect the town's character as a commuter hub with a mix of residential and retail areas, where interpersonal conflicts can arise during late-night hours. Criminal damage and arson, the second most common category, rose sharply to 33 cases—137% above the UK average. This spike could be linked to Bonfire Night events, which typically see increased fire-related incidents in November. Anti-social behaviour, at 27 cases, remained slightly above the UK average but showed a 47% month-on-month decline, indicating effective local policing or seasonal changes in public activity. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in violent crime prevention, particularly during periods of heightened social interaction. The seasonal context of November—marked by darker evenings and events like Black Friday—may have contributed to the mix of crime patterns observed, with retail areas likely experiencing increased shoplifting attempts despite an 11.6% share of total crimes.

November 2023 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with theft from the person rising by 200% compared to the previous month, jumping from 1 to 3 cases. This sharp increase may be attributed to Black Friday shopping activity, which often coincides with higher rates of pickpocketing in retail centres. Meanwhile, bicycle theft more than doubled, surging from 0 to 4 cases—a 100% increase—potentially reflecting colder weather driving more cyclists onto roads and the associated risk of theft. In contrast, public order offences fell by 50%, dropping from 14 to 7 cases, due to the end of the Halloween season and fewer large gatherings. Anti-social behaviour also declined significantly, down 47% from 51 to 27 cases, which could indicate successful community initiatives or seasonal factors reducing public disturbances. Retford's rate of criminal damage and arson—3.1 per 1,000—was 137% above the UK average, a figure that warrants attention given the town's historical use of open spaces for community events. Vehicle crime, however, dropped by 44.4%, from 9 to 5 cases, linked to reduced car usage during colder weather or improved security measures in car parks. These shifts in crime patterns underscore the importance of contextual factors in shaping local crime dynamics, with seasonal events and weather playing a clear role in influencing specific categories.

Retford's crime rate in November 2023 was 25.4% lower than the previous month, dropping from 9.6 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline, while significant, must be viewed alongside the town's daily crime context: 6 crimes were reported each day on average, translating to one crime for every 140 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it remains below the UK average when considering the area's population of 24,171. The previous month's higher rate may have been influenced by the transition from October's Halloween-related events to the quieter period of November, though the sharp drop suggests other factors at play. The town's population context means that even a relatively low crime rate can have a measurable impact on individual residents, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of retail or social activity. The comparison to the UK average also reveals stark contrasts: while violence and sexual offences were 27% below the national rate, criminal damage and arson were 137% above. This divergence highlights the unique challenges faced by Retford, where seasonal events and local infrastructure may create specific vulnerabilities. The 25.4% month-on-month decrease, combined with the area's relatively low overall rate, suggests that local policing strategies or community initiatives may have contributed to the downward trend, though further analysis would be required to confirm this.