Keighley Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 50,588 residents, Keighley recorded 706 crimes in September 2023 — equating to 14.0 crimes per 1,000 people, a figure 75% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This places the town in the upper quartile of England and Wales for overall crime rates. The data illustrates a pronounced focus on violent and disorderly crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 43.1% of all reported incidents (304 cases), followed by shoplifting (12.0%) and public order offences (10.9%). These patterns align with Keighley’s character as a mid-sized urban centre with a mix of retail corridors and community hubs, where seasonal transitions often intensify social interactions. September, marked by the return of students to local universities and the start of the school term, likely contributes to heightened public order challenges. The town’s crime profile suggests a combination of transient populations, local retail environments, and the pressures of late summer evenings. The rate of violence and sexual offences is 119% above the UK average, while shoplifting is 204% above, both figures underscoring vulnerabilities in specific sectors. These statistics must be contextualised within Keighley’s broader socioeconomic framework, where community policing efforts and local infrastructure play critical roles in shaping crime trends.

September 2023 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with robbery incidents surging by 200% (from 1 to 3 cases) — a stark outlier in a month otherwise marked by stability. This increase, though small in absolute terms, highlights the potential for targeted criminal activity during high-traffic periods such as university freshers’ week. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 45.5% (from 110 to 60 cases), possibly reflecting early efforts by local authorities to address disturbances ahead of the academic year. The crime mix also reveals stark disparities: while violence and sexual offences remain the dominant category (6.0 per 1,000), shoplifting and public order offences are both over 200% and 142% above UK averages respectively. This suggests a need for tailored interventions in retail zones and nightlife areas. A resident might find the 3.1% share of shoplifting (85 cases) particularly concerning, given its disproportionate impact on local businesses. Meanwhile, vehicle crime and burglary both show modest improvements — vehicle crime is 17% below the UK average, and burglary is 25% above — illustrating the uneven nature of crime reduction efforts in the area.

Compared to August 2023, Keighley’s crime rate remained stable at 14.0 per 1,000 (a -1.1% decrease from 14.1 per 1,000), suggesting consistent policing or environmental factors mitigating broader trends. Daily crime figures reveal 24 crimes reported per day on average — a figure that, while not uncommon for urban areas, translates to a monthly exposure of one crime for every 72 residents. This ratio underscores the frequency of incidents in a community of this size, though it does not account for unreported crimes or variations in reporting practices. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Keighley’s crime burden is significantly higher than the UK average, with violent crime alone accounting for nearly half of all incidents. While this does not necessarily imply greater danger, it does indicate a need for targeted community engagement and resource allocation. The stability in overall rates contrasts with the sharp spikes in specific categories, such as robbery, which may reflect isolated incidents rather than systemic issues. Residents should note that these figures are aggregates and may not capture the full picture of local safety.