St Austell Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

St Austell’s crime rate in March 2023 reached 7.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.3% above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 42.5% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.8%) and shoplifting (9.7%). These figures highlight a pattern where interpersonal offences dominate over property crimes, a trend consistent with the area’s built-up character and seasonal dynamics. The transition to spring, marked by longer evenings and the clocks changing, likely influenced social activity patterns, potentially contributing to the elevated rates of violence and anti-social behaviour. While shoplifting and anti-social behaviour exceeded UK averages by 63% and 44%, respectively, other thefts were 15% below the national rate, indicating a mixed landscape of crime trends. The relatively low rates of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) suggest that property-related offences are less frequent compared to other categories. This data aligns with the characteristics of a built-up area within Cornwall, where urban density and social interactions may drive higher rates of interpersonal crime. However, the absence of a significant increase in property crimes could be attributed to local policing efforts or the nature of the area’s economic activity, which may not involve high-value assets as frequently as other regions. The seasonal context of March — a time of transition between winter and spring — may also play a role in shaping crime patterns, as increased foot traffic in retail and public spaces could influence both violent and property-related incidents. Overall, the crime profile of St Austell in March 2023 reflects a balance between higher rates of interpersonal offences and relatively lower property crime, shaped by both local conditions and broader seasonal factors.

The most striking divergence from the UK average in March 2023 was the rate of violence and sexual offences, which stood at 3.3 per 1,000 residents — 20% higher than the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This category accounted for 42.5% of all reported crimes, reflecting a notable concentration of violent incidents. Anti-social behaviour also exceeded the UK average by 44%, with 1.5 per 1,000 residents compared to the national rate of 1.0 per 1,000. This spike may be linked to the transition into spring, where longer evenings and social gatherings could contribute to increased disorder. Conversely, other thefts were 15% below the UK average, suggesting a lower incidence of property-related crimes in this period. The sharp contrast between violent crimes and property crimes underscores a shift in the crime mix, with interpersonal offences dominating over theft or burglary. For residents, the elevated rate of violence and sexual offences may warrant heightened awareness, particularly in public spaces during the evenings.

In March 2023, St Austell recorded 186 crimes across its population of 24,127 residents, translating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 130 residents. This figure, while consistent with the area’s historical patterns, highlights the frequency of incidents within a relatively small community. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six crimes per day, a localised measure that reflects the density of activity in a built-up area within Cornwall. When scaled to the population, the crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents places St Austell slightly above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. However, without access to previous month’s data, it is not possible to determine whether this rate represents an increase or decrease from February 2023. The breakdown of crime types further illustrates the distribution of incidents, with violent crimes and anti-social behaviour dominating the landscape. For residents, the daily figure of six crimes per day serves as a tangible reference point, though these numbers do not account for unreported incidents or variations in policing activity.