Retford Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Retford’s overall crime rate in February 2024 stood at 6.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 2.8% below the UK average of 7.1. This slight edge over the national benchmark reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (30.1% of all incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (19.3%) and shoplifting (15.1%). These figures suggest a crime profile shaped by both community dynamics and the physical environment—such as the town’s retail and residential mix, which may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and property crime. February, as a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, may have limited opportunities for certain crimes, such as bicycle theft, which fell by 50% compared to January. However, the relatively high rate of anti-social behaviour—24% above the UK average—raises questions about local enforcement or community engagement strategies. Violence and sexual offences, while still a concern, were 16% below the UK average, indicating a potential success in targeted interventions or community support initiatives. The seasonal context of February—a pre-spring lull—may have contributed to lower levels of outdoor crime, though the increase in anti-social behaviour suggests that other factors, such as social isolation or environmental conditions, may be at play. These patterns highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of Retford’s unique circumstances, where local geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms interact to shape crime trends.

February 2024 saw a 30.6% decrease in shoplifting, with incidents falling from 36 to 25. This reduction may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity, which could have limited opportunities for retail theft. Conversely, anti-social behaviour surged by 146.2%, rising from 13 to 32 incidents. This category was also 24% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge that may be tied to specific community dynamics or environmental factors. Other crime and drugs offences also rose sharply—by 250% and 200%, respectively—though these categories remain relatively rare, with other crime accounting for just 4.2% of all incidents. Burglary and vehicle crime, however, both decreased by 30%, aligning with the UK average for the latter. These shifts underscore a combination of local conditions and broader trends, with some areas of Retford showing marked improvements while others require closer monitoring.

Retford's crime rate in February 2024 rose by 10.6% compared to January 2024, increasing from 6.2 to 6.9 per 1,000 residents. While this upward trend may reflect seasonal fluctuations—such as the transition from winter to spring, which can influence patterns of activity—it remains 2.8% below the UK average. Locally, this translates to roughly six crimes reported per day, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents in a way that residents can relate to. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 146 residents, a metric that provides a clear snapshot of the monthly exposure to crime. When considering the population of 24,171, this rate suggests that most residents are not directly affected by crime on a daily basis, though the increase from the previous month warrants attention. The local context—such as the town’s mix of residential and commercial areas—may influence how these figures are experienced differently across neighbourhoods.