Chilton Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, Chilton (County Durham) recorded a crime rate of 9.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 33.8% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This stark deviation from the national trend is most pronounced in 'Other crime', which was 257% above the UK average, reflecting a category that includes a range of less common but significant incidents. The most frequent crimes were violence and sexual offences (25 incidents, 41.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14, 23.3%) and criminal damage and arson (7, 11.7%). These figures align with the seasonal context of February, a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, which may have influenced the concentration of crimes in indoor or semi-enclosed spaces. The high rate of violence and sexual offences is consistent with patterns observed in built-up areas with limited social services or community engagement initiatives, though this connection remains speculative without further data. The UK average for 'Other crime' is 0.1 per 1,000, whereas Chilton recorded 0.5 per 1,000, underscoring a need for targeted interventions in this category. While the overall rate is elevated, the breakdown shows a combination of factors, including the area's role as a built-up part of County Durham, which may have specific socio-economic challenges distinct from larger urban centres. The low incidence of burglary and vehicle crime, both below UK averages, suggests that property-related crimes are not the dominant concern in Chilton, unlike in more densely populated or economically disadvantaged regions.

February 2024 saw sharp increases in 'Other theft' (+150%), 'Burglary' (+100%), and 'Possession of weapons' (+100%) compared to January, while 'Shoplifting' and 'Vehicle crime' fell by 75% and 50% respectively. These shifts suggest a reallocation of criminal activity, possibly linked to seasonal factors such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during winter. 'Violence and sexual offences' remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.7% of total crimes and 60% above the UK average. Conversely, 'Public order' and 'Burglary' were 39% and 33% below UK rates respectively, indicating a lower incidence of these specific types of crime in Chilton. For residents, the 75% drop in shoplifting from four to one incident in February may reflect a temporary reduction in retail crime, though this remains an isolated data point and not a long-term trend.

Chilton's crime rate for February 2024 fell by 4.8% compared to January, dropping from 10.0 to 9.5 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of late winter, when outdoor activity typically wanes and community routines shift toward indoor spaces. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly two crimes per day in February, a figure that, while consistent with local patterns, remains a focal point for residents and local authorities. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 105 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when considered alongside Chilton’s population of 6,287, highlights the concentrated nature of incidents in specific neighbourhoods or premises. The reduction in crime rate contrasts with the UK average, where the overall rate in February was 7.1 per 1,000, but this comparison does not fully capture the local dynamics of Chilton’s built-up area, which may have distinct social or economic factors influencing crime trends.