Barnton Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Barnton’s overall crime rate in December 2023 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, a figure 31.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This performance, while relatively low, was shaped by seasonal factors such as the Christmas shopping peak, which may have influenced retail-related crimes like shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 46.4% of all reported crimes, with 13 incidents recorded, while shoplifting—driven by the holiday season—made up 25% of the total. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, placing Barnton 12% below this benchmark. However, shoplifting in Barnton was 145% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, highlighting a stark local divergence. The area’s crime profile also shows that other theft, public order offences, and criminal damage and arson each saw a 100% increase compared to November, possibly reflecting the impact of extended evenings and empty homes during the festive period. These patterns are consistent with urban areas where retail hubs and community spaces intersect, though Barnton’s overall safety remains notable. The low crime rate, combined with the seasonal spikes, suggests that local factors such as community engagement and policing during the holiday season may play a role in mitigating risks.

December 2023 saw three categories with a 100% month-on-month increase: other theft, public order offences, and criminal damage and arson. These jumps, from zero to two incidents in other theft and one each in the other categories, contrast with a 66.7% drop in drugs-related crimes, which fell from three to one. The shift in crime mix reflects a notable departure from November’s pattern, with property crimes (12) now slightly outnumbering violent crimes (13). Shoplifting remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 25% of all reported crimes, and its rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents was 145% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends may be linked to the Christmas shopping peak, which could drive retail theft in Barnton’s commercial areas. Meanwhile, the sharp decline in drugs-related crimes suggests a possible reduction in associated activity during the holiday period, though further analysis is needed to confirm this trend.

Barnton's crime rate in December 2023 rose by 55.4% compared to November 2023, reflecting a significant upward shift. The previous month's rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents now stands at 4.9 per 1,000, a change that may partly reflect seasonal factors such as the Christmas shopping peak and extended dark evenings. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that offers context for local residents navigating their daily routines. When scaled to the population of 5,699, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 204 residents. This monthly aggregate highlights the relatively low frequency of crime in Barnton compared to the UK average, though the increase from November suggests a need to monitor trends during the holiday season. The comparison also underscores how local patterns, such as retail activity and community dynamics, may influence crime rates differently than national averages.