Liskeard Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Liskeard’s crime profile in January 2024 reveals a combination of persistent challenges and seasonal fluctuations. The area’s overall crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents places it 5.4% above the UK average, a figure that reflects both long-term patterns and immediate environmental factors. The most significant share of crimes fell into the category of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 54.6% of all incidents. This starkly contrasts with the UK average, where such offences make up only 2.6 per 1,000 residents. The disparity may be partly explained by Liskeard’s character as a built-up area within Cornwall—a region with a history of rural-urban transitions and seasonal tourism—but without the density of larger cities. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, also exceeded the UK average by 31%, a trend that could be linked to the area’s social fabric and the impact of post-holiday periods on local dynamics. Seasonal context suggests that January’s shorter days and reduced retail footfall may have influenced crime patterns, with fewer outdoor crimes typical of this time of year. However, the sharp rise in theft from the person and vehicle crime—both doubling compared to December—suggests that other factors, such as changes in local demographics or temporary increases in vulnerable populations, may also be at play. These findings highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of Liskeard’s crime profile, one that balances the influence of geography, seasonality, and specific local conditions.

The most striking shift in January 2024 was the 200% increase in theft from the person, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 62.5% drop in public order offences, which fell from 8 to 3. The category of vehicle crime also saw a 200% jump, moving from 1 to 3 incidents—a stark reversal of the 60% deficit it had compared to the UK average in December. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained the dominant category, accounting for 54.6% of all incidents. This 65% above the UK average for violence and sexual offences suggests a localised concentration of such incidents, possibly linked to seasonal factors like reduced daylight and post-holiday social dynamics. Other notable shifts include a 100% rise in 'other crime' and a 42.9% reduction in other theft. For residents, the most immediately relevant change is the doubling of theft from the person, which could prompt increased vigilance in public spaces during the short winter days.

Liskeard's crime rate in January 2024 fell by 7.7% compared to the previous month, declining from 8.5 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This reduction, while modest, reflects a broader trend in local crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, translating to one reported crime for every 128 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, though slightly above the UK average in some categories, remains within a range consistent with other similarly sized built-up areas in Cornwall. The population-scaled perspective shows that Liskeard’s crime burden, while not extreme, is concentrated in specific offence types. For instance, violent crimes accounted for over half of all incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average where such offences make up a smaller proportion. This disparity may partly explain why the area’s overall rate remains above the national figure, despite the month-on-month decline. The comparison also highlights the importance of contextual factors—such as the town’s proximity to rural areas, its reliance on local retail, and seasonal shifts in population—that shape crime dynamics differently than in more densely populated urban centres.