The question of safety during nighttime hours in Norton Canes is a significant concern for residents. While Norton Canes, a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Cannock Chase, boasts a population of 8363, its Night Safety Score of 4/100 reveals a notable area of vulnerability. This score is substantially lower than the UK average of 79, suggesting residents perceive a higher level of risk after dark.
It's important to contextualise this with the overall crime rate. Norton Canes has a crime rate of 85.0 per 1,000 residents, which is marginally lower than the UK average of 91.6. This suggests that, overall, crime levels aren’t exceptionally high. However, the breakdown of crime types is also important. The violent crime rate in Norton Canes stands at 34.9 per 1,000 residents. While not drastically higher than some areas, it still contributes to the feeling of unease during nighttime hours.
The low Night Safety Score indicates a specific perception of risk that isn't fully reflected in the overall crime rate. This could be due to factors like inadequate street lighting, a lack of visible police presence, or concerns about antisocial behaviour. It’s worth noting that the overall Safety Score for Norton Canes is 79/100, which is the same as the UK average, suggesting daytime safety is less of a concern.
Understanding these figures allows residents to make informed decisions about their personal safety. While the crime rate is not excessively high, the Night Safety Score clearly highlights a need for increased vigilance and potentially, community-led initiatives to improve feelings of safety after dark. Further investigation into the specific types of incidents occurring during nighttime hours would be beneficial for targeted safety improvements.