Pelton and Ouston Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

July 2023 marked a mixed picture for crime in Pelton and Ouston, with the area's overall crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents placing it 6% above the UK average. This figure, while modestly elevated, reflects a combination of seasonal and local factors that shaped the month's dynamics. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.5% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 3.7 per 1,000. This is 33% above the UK average for this category, a disparity that may be partly explained by the area's built-up nature and the concentration of social interactions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 15.1% of the total.3 per 1,000 — 8% below the UK average. This decline, occurring during the peak of the summer season, could be attributed to the timing of local festivals and events that may have redirected community focus away from disruptive activities. The third most common category was criminal damage and arson, which stood at 0.8 per 1,000, 25% above the UK average. This suggests a persistent challenge in managing property-related crimes, exacerbated by the area's small-scale industrial heritage and the presence of older buildings that may be more vulnerable to vandalism. The seasonal context of July, with schools out and tourism at its peak, likely played a role in shaping these patterns, as the influx of visitors and the extended hours of outdoor activity can create conditions where certain crimes are more likely to occur. However, the data also reveals a more nuanced picture, with some categories, such as shoplifting, showing a 50% deficit compared to the UK average — a trend that may reflect the relatively low retail density in Pelton and Ouston compared to larger urban centres.

July 2023 saw a notable decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell by 60% compared to June, dropping from 20 incidents to 8. This reduction may be linked to increased community engagement during the summer months or the timing of local festivals that shifted public activity patterns. Public order offences also decreased sharply, falling by 75% from 4 to 1, likely reflecting the impact of targeted policing efforts or changes in event management practices. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 37.5%, from 8 to 5, though this remains 25% above the UK average. The most significant rise was in burglary, which surged by 200% from 1 to 3 incidents. This increase, while modest in absolute terms, highlights a potential vulnerability in residential security during the summer when homes are more likely to be unoccupied. Shoplifting also rose by 100%, from 0 to 2, suggesting a seasonal spike in retail-related crime that may be tied to increased foot traffic during festivals and events.

Pelton and Ouston's crime rate in July 2023 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, a 3.9% increase from the previous month's 8.5 per 1,000. This places the area slightly above the UK average. Locally, the monthly exposure figure shows that over the course of July, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 113 residents. This provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents within the community. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in July, a consistent metric that helps residents contextualise the scale of activity. While the overall rate is up, the population-scaled perspective reveals that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime remains low, with most residents unlikely to encounter a crime during the month. This local context contrasts with broader UK trends, where the average rate is slightly lower, but the specific challenges of Pelton and Ouston's built-up area must be considered in isolation.