Bodmin Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 saw Bodmin's crime rate decline by 9.5% compared to November, marking a notable shift in the area's safety profile. Despite this month-on-month improvement, the overall rate of 8.4 crimes per 1,000 residents still places Bodmin 18.3% above the UK average. The data reveals a stark contrast in crime types, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 39.4% of total incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.7%) and criminal damage (10.6%). These figures align with seasonal patterns common in Cornwall's coastal towns, where the holiday season and dark evenings may contribute to heightened tensions. The sharp rise in possession of weapons (+100%) and theft from the person (+100%) suggests a possible spike in opportunistic behaviour during the festive period. Meanwhile, shoplifting incidents dropped by 22.2%, potentially reflecting increased police presence or retail security measures during the Christmas shopping peak. The area's crime profile appears to be shaped by a combination of local factors: its status as a market town with a historic core, coupled with seasonal dynamics that amplify certain types of crime. This interplay between geography and timing creates a unique pattern that differs from both urban centres and more rural regions.

The most striking month-on-month change was the 100% increase in possession of weapons, with two reported incidents in December compared to none in November. This spike, though small in absolute terms, raises questions about the availability of weapons in the area during the festive season. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 35.7% decrease, dropping from 28 to 18 incidents, possibly due to seasonal events drawing crowds to the town centre and reducing opportunities for such behaviour. Violent crimes remained high compared to the UK average, with a rate of 3.3 per 1,000 (29% above the national figure), a trend consistent with Bodmin's status as a market town where late-night retail activity and social gatherings may contribute to such incidents. Burglary rates fell by 100% as well, from 2 to 4 incidents, though this increase is offset by the overall decline in property crimes compared to the previous month. The UK comparison data highlights significant discrepancies: drugs-related offences were 192% above the national average, suggesting a localised issue that may warrant further investigation. Residents may find the 22.2% drop in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it indicates potential success in targeted crime prevention efforts during the Christmas shopping period.

Bodmin's December 2024 crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents represents a 9.5% decrease from November's 9.3, indicating a marked improvement in safety over the course of the month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that places Bodmin within the range typical for similar-sized built-up areas in Cornwall. When considering the monthly exposure, 1 in every 119 residents in Bodmin reported a crime over the course of December, a statistic that provides context for how frequently residents encounter crime in their daily lives. This monthly ratio is particularly useful for understanding the scale of risk relative to the population, though it should not be confused with daily probabilities. The population context is critical: with 16,914 residents, the 142 reported crimes translate to a relatively low per-capita rate compared to larger urban centres, yet the 18.3% gap above the UK average remains significant. This disparity may reflect local characteristics such as Bodmin's role as a regional hub with a mix of historic and modern infrastructure, which could influence crime patterns differently than more densely populated areas. The comparison with the previous month also highlights the volatility of crime rates in smaller communities, where a few incidents can significantly shift overall statistics.