St Austell Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, St Austell recorded 241 crimes across a population of 24,127, translating to a crime rate of 10.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the area 23.5% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a significant disparity that raises questions about local factors contributing to the elevated rate. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.9% of all reported incidents (101 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.4%) and criminal damage and arson (12.9%). These patterns may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as darker evenings in October and the proximity of Halloween, which could increase opportunities for disorderly conduct and interpersonal conflict. The high proportion of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences account for 2.7 per 1,000 residents. This discrepancy suggests that St Austell’s built-up area, likely characterised by a mix of residential and commercial zones, may experience heightened tensions during periods of reduced daylight. Additionally, the prominence of criminal damage and arson—120% above the UK average—could reflect local issues such as vandalism in public spaces or targeted attacks on property. While direct causes, the interplay of seasonal lighting, community dynamics, and local infrastructure may partly explain these trends. The absence of significant decreases in violent crime compared to the UK average underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where such offences are concentrated.

October 2024 saw sharp increases in several crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 300% (from 1 to 4 cases) and vehicle crime surging by 200% (from 2 to 6 cases). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, indicate potential shifts in criminal activity, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as the return of seasonal workers or increased movement of vehicles during darker evenings. Shoplifting also rose sharply by 145.5% (from 11 to 27 cases), which may be attributed to Halloween-related retail activity or increased foot traffic in commercial areas. Conversely, public order offences fell by 53.3% (from 15 to 7 cases), due to stricter enforcement during Halloween or a natural decline in incidents as the month progressed. Burglary rates also decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 cases), though this remains a low figure overall. Violence and sexual offences in St Austell were 57% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson were 120% above. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the area’s unique challenges. Meanwhile, other theft and public order crimes were below UK averages, suggesting that certain crime types may be better managed locally. Residents may find the 241 total crimes over 31 days—a daily average of 8—useful for understanding the scale of activity in their community.

St Austell’s crime rate in October 2024 (10.0 per 1,000 residents) marked a 24.3% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.0 per 1,000. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, translates to a significant shift in monthly exposure: over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 100 residents. When viewed daily, this equates to approximately 8 crimes per day, a figure that may feel more tangible to local residents. Compared to the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, St Austell’s rate is higher, reflecting a persistent gap that has likely been exacerbated by seasonal factors. The population context further underscores the impact: with 24,127 residents, the 241 recorded crimes represent a concentrated level of activity that is not evenly distributed across the area. While some categories, such as other theft and public order offences, were below the UK average, the overall disparity suggests that St Austell faces unique challenges in crime prevention. This comparison highlights the importance of localised strategies, as national averages may not fully capture the nuances of crime patterns in a specific built-up area. Residents should consider these figures alongside broader contextual factors, such as the area’s geographical and social characteristics, to gain a more complete understanding of local crime dynamics.