Crook Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Crook’s crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents placed it 41.7% above the UK average, underscoring a significant disparity in local safety compared to national benchmarks. The breakdown of offences revealed a striking imbalance: violent crimes, including violence and sexual offences, accounted for 48.3% of all incidents, far outpacing property crimes, which contributed 28.1%. This dominance of violent crime, particularly with 43 recorded incidents, highlights a pressing issue for the community. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, yet Crook’s rate of 4.9 per 1,000 is 87% higher, suggesting a need for targeted interventions. Seasonal factors likely influenced this pattern, as December’s dark evenings, holiday-related stress, and empty homes during the festive season may have created conditions conducive to such crimes. Meanwhile, property crimes, though lower in number, included notable spikes in criminal damage and arson (11 incidents, 132% above UK average) and anti-social behaviour (10 cases, 18% above UK average). These trends align with the characteristics of a built-up area within County Durham, where localised issues such as community tensions or transient populations could contribute to higher-than-average rates in specific categories. The data also reveals a stark contrast in drug-related crimes, which surged to 0.6 per 1,000—200% above the UK average—indicating a shift in illicit activity patterns during the month.

December 2023 saw a 400% surge in drug-related crimes, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal patterns or shifts in local activity. Burglary also jumped 300%, with four reported incidents compared to one in November, potentially linked to vacant homes during the holiday season. Bicycle theft doubled to one case, highlighting a niche but notable trend. In contrast, public order offences fell by 71.4%, from 14 to 4, due to reduced nightlife activity during the festive period. The balance between property and violent crime shifted sharply, with violent crimes (43) accounting for 48.3% of all incidents, compared to property crimes (25) at 28.1%. This dominance of violence and sexual offences—4.9 per 1,000, 87% above the UK average—suggests a pressing need for community-focused initiatives. Drug-related crimes, at 0.6 per 1,000, are 200% above the UK average, a figure that could inform local policing priorities.

Crook's December 2023 crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000 residents marks an 8.2% decline from the previous month’s 11.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight easing in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 98 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents within the local population. This monthly exposure rate, while notable, must be considered alongside Crook’s population size of 8,762. The 41.7% gap between Crook’s rate and the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000 highlights a persistent challenge for local authorities. However, the reduction from November suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal factors—such as the winding down of holiday-related activity—may have contributed to this downward trend. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while Crook’s crime rate remains elevated, the absolute number of incidents is manageable for a small built-up area.