St Ives Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

St Ives (Cornwall) recorded a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in July 2023, placing it 34.9% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This marked improvement reflects a broader trend in the area’s crime profile, which has historically been shaped by its coastal location and seasonal tourism patterns. The most prevalent category of crime was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 48.3% of all incidents (14 cases), followed by violence and sexual offences (17.2%) and other theft (10.3%). These figures align with the area’s character as a tourist destination, where summer festivals and high visitor numbers often correlate with increased public order issues. The drop in violent crime compared to the UK average (68% below) may partly explain the overall lower rate, though anti-social behaviour remains a notable concern. July’s peak tourism season, with schools out and festivals in full swing, likely contributed to the rise in anti-social behaviour, as temporary populations and extended evening activity can strain local infrastructure. However, the 50% decrease in violence and sexual offences from the previous month (from 10 to 5 cases) suggests some success in managing risks during busy periods. This contrast between rising anti-social behaviour and falling violence highlights the combination of factors influencing crime in coastal towns. The low property crime rate (2.6 per 1,000) further distinguishes St Ives from other areas, possibly due to its compact built-up area and the absence of large retail or industrial zones that typically drive burglary or vehicle crime. Seasonal patterns in July—extended daylight hours, outdoor events, and increased foot traffic—may have created conditions where anti-social behaviour is more visible, even if overall crime remains below national levels.

July 2023 saw a 100% increase in other theft, public order offences, and shoplifting compared to June, with each category rising from zero to three cases. This surge, while modest in absolute terms, signals a shift in the crime mix, with anti-social behaviour dominating at 48.3% of all incidents—83% above the UK average for this category. The drop in violence and sexual offences (50% decrease from 10 to 5 cases) is a significant positive development, aligning with the UK average (2.8 per 1,000) and suggesting improved community safety measures or police response during peak tourist times. Shoplifting in St Ives matched the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), indicating no disproportionate issue with retail crime despite the town’s tourist profile. The contrast between rising anti-social behaviour and falling violence underscores the need for targeted interventions in public spaces, particularly during festivals and events. For residents, the 50% reduction in violent crime offers reassurance, though the spike in anti-social behaviour highlights the challenges of managing temporary populations in a small built-up area.

The crime rate in St Ives rose by 20.8% from 4.5 per 1,000 in June to 5.4 per 1,000 in July 2023. While this increase is notable, the overall rate remains well below the UK average, reflecting the area’s distinct characteristics as a coastal town with limited industrial or commercial infrastructure. On a daily basis, 29 crimes were reported over 31 days, equating to roughly one crime per day—a frequency that, while non-trivial, is manageable for a community of 5,369 residents. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure was 1 crime for every 185 residents, a figure that suggests the area’s crime burden is relatively light compared to larger urban centres. This monthly aggregate, however, does not capture the uneven distribution of incidents across the month, which may have been influenced by specific events or periods of heightened activity. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the importance of context: while the rate is above June’s, it is still significantly below the UK average, indicating that St Ives’ crime profile remains distinct from national trends. The comparison to the previous month underscores the need for ongoing monitoring, particularly as tourism-related pressures may continue to influence crime patterns in the coming months.