Staveley (Chesterfield) Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

December 2023 saw Staveley (Chesterfield) maintain a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 38.9% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This figure positions the area as one of the safer built-up areas within Chesterfield, though the distribution of crime types reveals distinct patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, comprising 54.4% of all recorded crimes, with 31 incidents reported. This category alone was 8% below the UK average, reflecting a notable deviation from national trends. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage followed, contributing 14.0% and 12.3% respectively, both significantly below UK averages. The seasonal context of December—marked by extended evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and potential increases in empty homes—likely influences these patterns. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, the lower-than-average rates for property crimes such as burglary (43% below UK average) suggest effective local deterrents or community engagement efforts. The contrast between the area’s violent crime dominance and its relatively low property crime rates may reflect Staveley’s character as a mixed-use built-up area with a focus on residential and commercial hubs, where interpersonal conflicts are more visible than theft from property. This divergence from national trends underscores the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention, balancing targeted interventions for violent crime with maintaining the current success in reducing property-related offences.

December 2023 brought significant month-on-month shifts in crime trends, with some categories showing marked improvements and others rising sharply. The most notable decrease occurred in other theft, which fell by 75% from four incidents in November to one in December—a reduction likely linked to heightened community awareness during the festive season. Similarly, possession of weapons and drug-related offences each dropped by 50%, suggesting potential success in local policing strategies or reduced demand during the holiday period. However, criminal damage and arson surged by 250%, rising from two to seven incidents, possibly tied to seasonal factors such as increased vandalism during dark winter evenings or empty homes left unoccupied over the holidays. Burglary also increased by 100%, with one incident in November escalating to two in December, though this remains a small number compared to the UK average. Public order offences mirrored this upward trend, doubling from three to six, potentially reflecting heightened tensions in communal spaces during the festive period. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, but their rate (2.4 per 1,000) was 8% below the UK average, indicating that while this category persists as a concern, local efforts to address it may be yielding results. Residents might find the 75% reduction in other theft particularly reassuring, as it suggests that targeted initiatives—such as visible policing during high-risk periods or community crime prevention campaigns—could be contributing to this decline.

Comparing December 2023 to November, the crime rate in Staveley (Chesterfield) fell by 13.6%, from 5.1 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline translates to a daily average of approximately two crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that is likely manageable for local residents and policing resources. On a monthly basis, the rate equates to one reported crime for every 228 residents, a statistic that, while not insignificant, suggests a relatively low level of exposure compared to other areas. When considering the population context, Staveley’s 12,988 residents mean that the total of 57 crimes recorded in December represents a proportionally small share of the community, though the concentration of violent offences—accounting for over half of all incidents—highlights the need for continued focus on this category. The reduction in overall crime rate aligns with broader trends observed in other parts of Chesterfield, where seasonal factors such as the closure of businesses and schools during the holidays may contribute to lower crime levels. However, the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson remains a concern, as these incidents often have long-term impacts on local infrastructure and community morale. Residents may find it useful to note that the 1-in-228 monthly exposure figure, while modest, underscores the importance of remaining vigilant, particularly in areas where public order and anti-social behaviour incidents have shown recent upward trends.