St Austell Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 in St Austell revealed a stark contrast between expected seasonal crime patterns and unexpected shifts in specific offence types. The most surprising finding was the 400% increase in possession of weapons compared to the UK average, with 6 incidents reported—far exceeding the national rate of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly, while not directly linked to any identifiable factor, contrasts sharply with the significant decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 51.6% (31 → 15). This decline may be attributed to the conclusion of the bonfire season, a period historically associated with spikes in such crimes. The town’s coastal location and seasonal events, such as Bonfire Night, likely influence these patterns. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 33.3% (27 → 18), possibly due to the Black Friday shopping period having passed, while public order offences rose by 28.6% (7 → 9), suggesting increased social activity. Violence and sexual offences remained high, accounting for 47% of all crimes and 51% above the UK average. This overrepresentation highlights ongoing challenges for local law enforcement and community safety initiatives. The overall crime rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents places St Austell 9.2% above the UK average, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in violent crime. The data also shows a notable reduction in other theft, which fell 27% below the UK average, indicating a mixed picture of crime trends. These findings reflect the combination of seasonal, geographic, and demographic factors shaping St Austell’s crime profile.

The most unexpected shift in November 2024 was the 400% increase in possession of weapons compared to the UK average, with 6 incidents reported—far exceeding the national rate of 0.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast raises questions about local dynamics. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell sharply by 51.6% (31 → 15), potentially linked to the conclusion of the bonfire season, which typically sees spikes in such offences. Shoplifting also decreased by 33.3% (27 → 18), possibly due to the Black Friday shopping period having passed. Conversely, public order offences rose by 28.6% (7 → 9), reflecting increased social activity during the festive season. Violence and sexual offences remained high, with 94 cases (47% of total crimes) and a rate 51% above the UK average. For residents, the drop in criminal damage and arson may offer a tangible reassurance, though the rise in weapon possession warrants cautious attention. The data also shows that other theft fell 27% below the UK average, suggesting a relative reduction in property crime despite the overall rise in violent offences.

St Austell’s crime rate in November 2024 fell by 17.0% compared to the previous month, dropping from 10.0 to 8.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the end of the bonfire season, which may have reduced opportunities for criminal damage and arson—crimes that fell by 51.6% month-on-month. On a daily basis, 7 crimes were reported each day in November, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 121 residents, a measure that reflects the cumulative exposure of the population to crime. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the previous month’s equivalent, suggesting a broader trend of reduced activity across multiple crime types. The drop in overall crime, combined with specific decreases in arson and other offences, may indicate seasonal factors influencing crime patterns in this coastal town, where bonfire events and shorter daylight hours historically correlate with spikes in certain types of crime. The town’s proximity to natural areas and seasonal festivals may also contribute to fluctuations in crime types, though these patterns remain subject to further analysis.