Brandon (County Durham) Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 in Brandon (County Durham) presented a striking contrast in crime trends, with shoplifting surging unexpectedly by 166.7% to 16 incidents, the highest single-month figure for this category. This spike, while unexplained by the data, underscores a shift in criminal activity that may relate to seasonal factors such as August's peak holiday period, which typically increases foot traffic in local areas. The overall crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents places the area 16% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, though this figure is driven by a specific subset of offences. Anti-social behaviour (29 cases) and violence and sexual offences (25 cases) remain the dominant crime types, accounting for 53.5% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour, in particular, was 88% above the UK average, suggesting a localised issue that may be linked to the area's character as a built-up area within County Durham, where community interactions and public spaces could contribute to such incidents. Seasonal context also plays a role: August's tourism and holiday activity may have influenced shoplifting rates. Meanwhile, property crimes (32) outnumbered violent crimes (25), a balance consistent with other urban areas where retail presence and public spaces drive property-related offences. The UK average for shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) was 150% below Brandon's rate, highlighting the area's unique challenges in this category. These patterns suggest a combination of local factors and seasonal influences, requiring further analysis to identify potential interventions.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 166.7% increase in shoplifting, rising from 6 to 16 incidents. This spike, though unexplained by the data, contrasts with an 80% drop in vehicle crime, which fell from 5 to 1. Public order offences also surged by 140%, jumping from 5 to 12 cases, while drugs-related crimes doubled from 1 to 2. These shifts highlight a notable divergence in crime patterns, with property-related issues (shoplifting, public order) surging while violent crimes (violence and sexual offences) remained stable at 25. Anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type, was 88% above the UK average, with 29 incidents reported. Conversely, burglary and vehicle crime were significantly below national rates, at 41% and 80% below respectively. For residents, the 3 crimes per day average offers a tangible sense of local crime frequency, though the overall rate remains below the UK average for burglary and vehicle crime.

Brandon's crime rate in August 2023 rose to 9.4 per 1,000 residents, a 7.4% increase from 8.8 per 1,000 in July. This places the area 16% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported each day in August, reflecting a consistent local rhythm of activity. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 106 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for residents. While this rate is higher than the UK average, the breakdown of crime types reveals distinct patterns. For instance, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour dominate, whereas vehicle crime and burglary fall below national levels. The population context shows that crime remains relatively low in absolute terms, with only 101 crimes reported across 10,739 residents. This suggests that while certain crime types are elevated, the overall safety profile of Brandon remains within a manageable range compared to the UK average.