Retford Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Retford's overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 matched the UK average, reflecting a balanced profile that neither exceeded nor lagged significantly behind national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (34.9% of total), followed by shoplifting (16.4%) and anti-social behaviour (15.9%). This distribution suggests a mix of persistent local challenges and seasonal influences, as October's darker evenings and Halloween may have contributed to increased anti-social behaviour and retail-related offences. The rate of violence and sexual offences, though slightly above the UK average (2.8 vs 2.7 per 1,000), remained within a narrow margin, consistent with Retford's position as a built-up area within Bassetlaw. Shoplifting, however, stood out as significantly higher than the UK average (1.3 vs 0.7 per 1,000), a disparity that may relate to local retail density or transient population movements during the month. Meanwhile, other theft and vehicle crime rates were below the UK average, reflecting effective policing or community initiatives in these categories. Seasonal factors such as the clocks going back, which reduces evening daylight, may have compounded the rise in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, though these connections remain speculative without further data.

The most dramatic month-on-month swing occurred in anti-social behaviour, which surged by 106.7%—from 15 to 31 incidents. This jump, coupled with a 77.8% increase in shoplifting, suggests a shift in crime patterns during October. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category (34.9% of total crimes), but their rate was 5% above the UK average. Meanwhile, burglary fell 58.8% (from 17 to 7), the largest decrease among all categories. Shoplifting's 81% above UK average indicates a stark localised trend, potentially linked to retail activity or seasonal factors like Halloween. Public order offences also declined significantly, dropping 36.4% to 7, a rate 46% below the UK average. These contrasting trends highlight how specific local conditions can amplify or mitigate certain crime types compared to national averages.

Retford's crime rate in October 2024 rose 14.8% compared to September's 7.0 per 1,000, reaching 8.1 per 1,000—the same as the UK average. Over 31 days, this translates to an average of six crimes reported daily, a figure that includes both violent and property offences. When scaled to the population of 24,171, this means one crime occurred for roughly every 124 residents over the course of the month. While the rate matches the UK average, the distribution of crime types differs significantly. For example, shoplifting in Retford is 81% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as retail density or seasonal shopping patterns may influence this category. Conversely, public order offences are 46% below the UK average, potentially reflecting community policing efforts or lower foot traffic in certain areas. These variations highlight how local dynamics can shape crime profiles even when overall rates align with national benchmarks.