Shirebrook Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Shirebrook’s crime profile in March 2023, accounting for nearly half (47.3%) of all reported crimes. This category’s rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents — 42% above the UK average — highlights a stark outlier in the area’s crime picture. The overall crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents placed Shirebrook 9.2% above the UK average of 7.6, underscoring a need for focused analysis of local factors. Anti-social behaviour (1.4 per 1,000) and criminal damage and arson (1.2 per 1,000) also significantly exceeded UK averages by 35% and 100% respectively. These figures contrast with lower-than-average rates for public order (22% below UK) and other theft (66% below UK), suggesting a mix of community-specific pressures and broader trends. March’s transition to spring — with evenings lengthening and clocks advancing — likely influenced patterns, as extended daylight hours may have altered activity rhythms. However, the prominence of violent crime in a largely rural area like Shirebrook, which typically experiences lower crime rates, raises questions about local dynamics. While the area’s small population (13,504) may limit the scale of large-scale criminal activity, the concentration of violent incidents points to potential issues such as social fragmentation or under-resourced community support systems. These findings align with broader patterns in similar post-industrial towns, where economic challenges and demographic shifts can contribute to higher rates of violent crime.

March 2023 saw violence and sexual offences (53 incidents) dominate Shirebrook’s crime profile, far exceeding the UK average for this category by 42%. This stark contrast with lower-than-average rates for property crimes — such as burglary (0.2 per 1,000, 39% below UK) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 58% below UK) — suggests a shift in criminal focus toward interpersonal conflict rather than property-based offences. Anti-social behaviour (19 incidents) and criminal damage (16 incidents) also showed marked deviations, with the latter’s rate 100% above the UK average. These figures may reflect localized tensions, such as disputes over shared spaces or community resources. Conversely, public order offences (7 incidents) were 22% below the UK average, potentially indicating effective local policing or community engagement initiatives. A resident might note that shoplifting (7 incidents) was only 2% above the UK average, a relatively minor deviation compared to other categories. This contrast highlights the complexity of crime patterns, where certain areas of the crime spectrum (violence) surge while others remain stable or decline. The absence of significant increases in property-related crimes suggests that Shirebrook’s crime dynamics are shaped by factors distinct from those in urban centres, such as a focus on interpersonal disputes or social cohesion challenges.

Shirebrook’s crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents in March 2023 translated to roughly 4 crimes reported per day — a figure that, while modest, reflects a persistent level of criminal activity in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 121 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for consistent community vigilance. When scaled to the area’s population of 13,504, this means that a resident had a 1-in-121 chance of being directly affected by a crime during March. This figure is higher than the UK average for similar-sized areas, which typically experience lower crime rates due to rural isolation or lower population density. However, the disparity is most pronounced in violent crime, where Shirebrook’s rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents far exceeds the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This suggests that the area’s crime profile is influenced by factors unique to its built-up character, such as higher population concentration or limited policing resources. In contrast, categories like burglary and vehicle crime, which are typically more prevalent in urban or commuter areas, were significantly lower than UK averages — a pattern consistent with the area’s rural-adjacent nature. These comparisons highlight both the challenges and opportunities for local authorities in addressing crime through targeted interventions.