St Ives Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

St Ives (Cornwall) recorded a crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents in March 2024, placing it 2.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 40% of all incidents, followed by other theft (15%) and criminal damage and arson (12.5%). This pattern aligns with the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity, where seasonal transitions may influence crime dynamics. The shift to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks changing, may have contributed to the rise in violent offences, which are often linked to increased social interactions in public spaces. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 20%, reflecting a reduction in alcohol-related incidents during the early spring period. Other theft and criminal damage and arson rates exceeded UK averages by 100% and 55%, respectively, indicating localised factors—such as targeted property crime or environmental vulnerabilities—driving these categories. While the overall rate remains relatively low compared to the UK, the disproportionate rise in certain offences suggests the need for tailored local strategies to address emerging patterns.

March 2024 saw a dramatic 400% rise in criminal damage and arson, jumping from one incident to five—the largest month-on-month swing in the dataset. This surge, coupled with a 200% increase in other theft (from two to six cases), underscores a sharp shift in crime trends. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category (40% of total crimes), but their rate of 3.0 per 1,000 was 12% above the UK average, suggesting heightened activity in this category. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 20%, aligning with the UK average of 1.2 per 1,000. The drugs category, which had no recorded incidents in February, rose to two cases—a 100% increase—marking a new trend. These fluctuations highlight the volatility of specific crime types, with factors such as seasonal changes potentially influencing the rise in property-related offences and the decline in anti-social behaviour.

St Ives' crime rate in March 2024 rose sharply to 7.5 per 1,000 residents, a 99.7% increase from the previous month’s 3.7 per 1,000. This surge places the area’s monthly exposure at 1 reported crime for every 134 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the town’s population of 5,369. Daily crime activity averaged one incident per day over the 31-day period, aligning with the area’s generally low crime profile despite the recent spike. The previous month’s rate was lower, reflecting a stark shift in crime patterns. While the overall rate remains 2.6% below the UK average, the composition of crimes in March diverges significantly, with certain categories—such as criminal damage and arson—exceeding UK averages by over 50%. This contrast highlights the unique dynamics of St Ives, where seasonal transitions and local factors may amplify specific crime types during the spring period.