Bollington Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bollington’s crime profile in February 2024 reveals a nuanced balance between property and violent offences, with property crimes slightly outnumbering violent crimes. The overall crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 43.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a disparity that highlights Bollington’s relatively low-risk environment. Violence and sexual offences (12 incidents) accounted for the largest share of reported crimes (37.5%), followed by burglary (5, 15.6%) and anti-social behaviour (4, 12.5%). This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal crime, though property-related offences, including shoplifting (3, 9.4%) and burglary (5, 15.6%), collectively contributed 34.4% of total reports. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—may have influenced patterns, as limited opportunities for outdoor crime could have shifted focus toward indoor spaces, such as retail stores or residential areas. The built-up nature of Bollington, with its compact layout and limited retail density, likely contributes to the lower prevalence of certain crimes compared to larger urban areas. For instance, burglary rates in Bollington (0.6 per 1,000) are 100% above the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), indicating a localised challenge that may stem from the concentration of properties in a small geographic area. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) is 52% below the UK average (1.1 per 1,000), a discrepancy that could reflect the area’s smaller population and tighter community networks. The relatively low rate of vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.4 per 1,000) suggests that Bollington’s built-up environment may limit opportunities for vehicle-related offences. These patterns collectively illustrate a crime picture shaped by the area’s unique characteristics, where property crime trends are more pronounced than national averages, yet overall risk remains significantly lower than the UK average.

February 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+200%), criminal damage and arson (+100%), and theft from the person (+100%), while drug-related crimes fell by 66.7%. These shifts indicate a crime mix that leaned more heavily toward property-related offences, with shoplifting and burglary accounting for 34.4% of total crimes (14 out of 32). Despite this, violent crimes remained the most common category, at 37.5% of total reports, a figure that is 40% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. This contrast suggests a local dynamic where property crime trends are more pronounced than national averages, possibly influenced by Bollington’s built-up area status and limited retail density. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting may signal targeted activity in local stores, warranting vigilance during peak shopping times. Meanwhile, the 66.7% decline in drug-related crimes could reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced social gatherings in winter months. The 100% increase in theft from the person, a crime type that is 41% below the UK average, highlights a local anomaly that warrants further scrutiny. These changes underscore the importance of monitoring specific crime types to identify emerging patterns.

Bollington’s crime rate in February 2024 rose by 33.3% compared to January’s 3.0 per 1,000 residents, reaching 4.0 per 1,000. This increase, though significant, remains 43.7% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reinforcing Bollington’s status as a low-crime area within Cheshire East. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that, while consistent, underscores the relatively low frequency of criminal activity in a built-up area with limited retail density. When scaled to the population of 8,003, this translates to one reported crime for every 250 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure provides a tangible metric for residents to gauge risk. The built-up nature of Bollington, with its compact layout and limited open spaces, may partly explain the lower prevalence of certain crimes compared to larger urban centres. The increase from January may reflect seasonal fluctuations, such as reduced outdoor activity in winter months, which could influence patterns of burglary or anti-social behaviour. However, without further data, it remains speculative whether this trend will persist into subsequent months.