St Austell Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2024, St Austell's crime rate of 9.5 per 1,000 residents placed it 13.1% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a figure that underscores the area's distinct profile within Cornwall's built-up regions. The crime picture was dominated by violence and sexual offences (70 incidents, 30.4% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (51 incidents, 22.2%) and criminal damage and arson (28 incidents, 12.2%). This mix suggests a blend of social and environmental factors influencing local crime dynamics, including the area's status as a coastal town with a mix of residential, retail, and tourist spaces. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—may have contributed to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and violent incidents. Conversely, shoplifting saw a sharp decline of 60.5% compared to the previous month, potentially reflecting reduced foot traffic or targeted interventions. The property crime category, while slightly outnumbering violent crimes (80 vs 70), was not the most prominent category, with violence and sexual offences dominating the breakdown. This balance may indicate a combination of local factors, including the presence of public spaces that foster both community interaction and conflict. The UK comparison highlights St Austell's elevated rates in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which are 45% and 94% above the national average respectively, suggesting that these areas require targeted attention. However, the drop in vehicle crime by 44.4% and the reduction in drug-related offences by 28.6% point to potential successes in local policing strategies or seasonal trends affecting certain crime types. As a built-up area within Cornwall, St Austell's crime profile reflects both the challenges of managing public spaces and the opportunities for intervention in high-impact categories.

May 2024 saw a notable 100% increase in robbery, with incidents rising from 0 to 2, while other crime also surged by 66.7% (from 6 to 10). These spikes contrast with a 60.5% drop in shoplifting, which fell from 38 to 15, potentially reflecting seasonal shifts in retail activity or targeted policing efforts. Anti-social behaviour remained a significant concern, with rates 45% above the UK average, and criminal damage and arson incidents 94% above the UK average, highlighting persistent challenges in this category. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 44.4% (from 9 to 5), and drugs-related offences decreased by 28.6% (from 7 to 5), suggesting possible seasonal reductions in certain activities. The balance between property and violent crime remains uneven, with property crimes (80) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (70), though the most common category is violence and sexual offences (30.4% of total crimes). These fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of crime patterns in St Austell, influenced by both local conditions and broader seasonal factors.

St Austell's crime rate in May 2024 (9.5 per 1,000) represents an 8.7% decrease from April's rate of 10.4 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 105 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for local residents. On a daily basis, 7 crimes were recorded per day, a local metric that highlights the pace of incidents in the built-up area. Compared to the UK average, St Austell's overall crime rate remains 13.1% higher, but the month-on-month reduction suggests potential effectiveness in local policing or seasonal factors influencing crime patterns. The population of 24,127 means that crime rates are scaled to reflect the density of the built-up area, with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage affecting the local profile compared to the UK average. These figures, when considered alongside the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and retail spaces, may indicate a combination of environmental and social factors influencing crime trends.