Retford Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Retford recorded a crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.4% below the UK average of 7.1. This slight edge over the national benchmark, while modest, is consistent with the town’s character as a built-up area within Bassetlaw, where urban density and commercial activity may temper crime rates compared to more rural or industrial regions. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences (28.8% of total crimes), a figure that was 22% below the UK average. This discrepancy may reflect local policing strategies, community engagement, or demographic factors such as a younger population with lower rates of violent incidents. Anti-social behaviour (15.9% of crimes) and shoplifting (15.3%) followed closely, with the latter category showing a stark 93% gap above the UK average. This spike in shoplifting is likely driven by the festive season’s retail activity, compounded by the dark evenings and increased foot traffic in commercial zones. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, party season, and holiday-related absences—may partly explain these patterns, though the overall decline in crime (6.6% from the previous month) suggests some success in crime prevention efforts. Property crimes (68) outnumbered violent crimes (49), a balance that could indicate the influence of retail and commercial hubs in driving theft and burglary, while the lower violent crime rate may reflect a combination of effective policing and the seasonal lull in nightlife activity.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in drugs-related crimes (+700%) and burglary (+600%), both of which far exceed UK averages. This surge in property crimes contrasts with a 66.7% drop in other theft, suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences (28.8% of total crimes) remained the most common category, though this rate was 22% below the UK average. Meanwhile, shoplifting (1.1 per 1,000) was 93% above the UK average, a figure that aligns with the seasonal context of Christmas shopping. The 6.6% monthly decline in overall crime may partly reflect heightened community awareness during the festive period, though the spike in drugs and burglary indicates areas requiring targeted policing. For residents, the 93% above-average shoplifting rate is a concrete data point that could inform personal security measures.

Retford's crime rate in December 2024 (7.0 per 1,000 residents) marks a 6.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting a modest but measurable decline in reported incidents. Over the 31 days of December, this equates to approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace at which incidents occur locally. On a monthly basis, 1 crime was reported for every 142 residents, a ratio that highlights the frequency of crime in relation to the population. This exposure rate, while relatively low compared to some UK areas, underscores the importance of community vigilance and local policing efforts. When considering the broader demographic context, Retford’s built-up nature within Bassetlaw likely influences the types and distribution of crime, with commercial and residential hubs potentially contributing to the patterns observed.