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

September 2023 saw Brandon's overall crime rate rise to 9.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 22.5% above the UK average of 8.0. This marks a continuation of a trend observed in recent months, though the rate remains within a narrow band of the national benchmark. The most prevalent crimes were shoplifting (28 incidents) and violence and sexual offences (28 incidents), each accounting for 26.7% of total reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour followed at 17.1%, reflecting a persistent challenge in maintaining public order. Seasonal factors appear to play a role: the return of students to university and the back-to-school period may have influenced patterns, with shoplifting rates spiking during periods of increased foot traffic in retail areas. Shoplifting in Brandon was 364% higher than the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, a disparity that may be linked to the town's retail presence and the transient nature of student populations. Conversely, violent crime in Brandon was slightly below the UK average, at 2.6 per 1,000 compared to 2.7 per 1,000 nationally, suggesting that local interventions or community dynamics may be mitigating risk in this category. The data also highlights a sharp increase in criminal damage and arson (11 incidents), 67% above the UK average, which could be tied to seasonal neglect or targeted activity in certain areas. These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring of crime hotspots and the alignment of local strategies with broader national trends.

The month-on-month analysis reveals a 4% increase in overall crime rate, from 9.4 to 9.8 per 1,000, driven by a 200% rise in vehicle crime (from 1 to 3 incidents) and a 100% increase in both possession of weapons (from 0 to 1) and robbery (from 0 to 1). These spikes in vehicle crime may reflect seasonal changes in parking patterns, with more vehicles on residential streets during the return of university students. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences both declined, by 37.9% and 25% respectively, potentially linked to the end of summer holidays and a shift in local activity. The breakdown of crime types shows a stark contrast between local and national benchmarks: shoplifting in Brandon was 364% above the UK average, while violent crime was 5% below the national rate. This divergence suggests that local factors, such as the town's retail infrastructure and demographic profile, significantly influence crime dynamics. For residents, the sharp increase in vehicle crime serves as a specific point of concern, highlighting the need for heightened awareness in parking areas and secure storage of vehicles during peak times.

Brandon's crime rate in September 2023 (9.8 per 1,000) represents a 4% increase from the previous month's rate of 9.4, indicating a slight upward trend over the short term. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 crimes per day, a figure that residents may find useful for contextualizing local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 102 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while higher than the UK average, remains within a range typical for small built-up areas. When scaled to the population of 10,739, the 105 total crimes reported in September translate to a rate that is 22.5% above the national average, a disparity that underscores the need for targeted local strategies. The comparison to the previous month's data also highlights the volatility of crime trends in Brandon, with sharp increases in specific categories (such as vehicle crime) offsetting declines in others. This fluctuation may be influenced by a combination of seasonal factors—such as the return of students—and the inherent variability of crime in smaller communities. While the daily crime count provides a snapshot of ongoing activity, the monthly exposure rate offers a broader perspective, illustrating that the likelihood of being affected by crime remains relatively low for most residents.