Weaverham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Weaverham's crime rate in September 2023 stood at 5.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 26.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This continued safety, however, masks a significant shift in the crime profile, with violent offences now dominating the landscape. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 56.4% of all reported crimes, a stark contrast to the previous month's more balanced distribution. This category's rate of 3.3 per 1,000 remains 20% above the UK average, suggesting local factors—such as the area's proximity to a university campus—may be contributing to the increase. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, remains 33% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area's relatively stable community dynamics. Seasonal factors appear to play a role, with the transition from summer to autumn influencing patterns: back-to-school activity and university freshers' week likely increasing foot traffic in public spaces, creating opportunities for both violent and property crimes. The sharp rise in shoplifting—jumping from one to four incidents—aligns with this context, as retail areas may have seen heightened activity during the month. Meanwhile, property-related crime fell across multiple categories, with burglary dropping by 50% and criminal damage and arson decreasing by 25%, indicating a possible seasonal lull in such offences. These trends highlight the combination of local demographics and broader seasonal rhythms, with Weaverham's built-up character—likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial zones—shaping the crime picture in ways that differ from both rural and larger urban areas.

September 2023 marked a sharp rise in violence and sexual offences, which surged by 100% to 22 incidents—accounting for 56.4% of all reported crimes. This increase, though significant, remains 20% above the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, shoplifting jumped 300% from one to four incidents, a spike likely linked to the start of the academic year and increased foot traffic in retail areas. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 20% to six incidents, but this remains 33% below the UK average. Conversely, burglary fell by 50% to one incident, and public order offences dropped by 50% to two, both aligning with a broader trend of reduced property-related crime. The crime mix shifted sharply towards violent offences, which now dominate the profile, contrasting with the previous month's more balanced distribution.

Weaverham's crime rate in September 2023 rose 29.9% compared to August, climbing from 4.6 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects a shift in the crime profile. Locally, the monthly exposure metric indicates that over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 169 residents—a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the built-up area's population of 6,599. Daily crime context shows a steady rate of approximately one crime per day, aligning with the area's historical pattern of low-to-moderate activity. While the overall rate remains 26.2% below the UK average, the month-on-month rise suggests seasonal factors—such as the transition from summer to autumn—may be influencing local patterns. This contrast between the area's sustained safety and the recent uptick highlights the need for ongoing vigilance without overreacting to temporary fluctuations.