Pelton and Ouston Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,009 residents, Pelton and Ouston recorded 38 crimes in October 2023, translating to a crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 people. This rate is 21.3% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, reflecting a relatively safer environment compared to national benchmarks. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (13 incidents, 34.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (11 incidents, 29.0%). These figures suggest a balance between personal safety concerns and community-level disruptions, though the area's lower overall rate indicates effective local policing or community engagement strategies. Seasonal factors may partly explain patterns, as October brings darker evenings and Halloween, which could influence both victim behaviour and offender opportunities. The relatively low rate of property crimes (13 incidents) compared to the UK average (which includes more property-focused areas) suggests that Pelton and Ouston's built-up character—likely featuring mixed-use spaces and lower commercial density—may reduce opportunities for theft and burglary. However, the area's crime profile remains distinct, with anti-social behaviour and violence dominating the breakdown, indicating potential challenges in community cohesion or youth-related issues that require targeted interventions.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with robbery incidents doubling from zero to one and vehicle crime increasing by 100% (from one to two). These increases may reflect seasonal changes, such as Halloween-related activity or altered patterns of vehicle use during darker evenings. Conversely, burglary rates dropped sharply by 83.3% (from six to one), potentially indicating successful policing efforts or reduced opportunities for intrusion in the built-up area. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent issue, with rates 41% above the UK average (1.8 vs 1.3 per 1,000), suggesting that community tensions or alcohol-related incidents in local spaces may require closer attention. The violence and sexual offences category, while still the largest single category (34.2% of total crimes), was 19% below the UK average (2.2 vs 2.7 per 1,000), a contrast that could be explained by the area's relatively stable demographics compared to more densely populated or transient regions. Residents may find the significant reduction in burglary rates particularly noteworthy, as it suggests that targeted measures—such as improved street lighting or community patrols—may be contributing to this decline.

Pelton and Ouston's October 2023 crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents marked a 46.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 11.8 per 1,000, illustrating a marked improvement in local safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a frequency that aligns with the built-up nature of the area and its relatively small population. When considering monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 158 residents, a figure that places the area well below the UK average in terms of per capita risk. This lower exposure is particularly striking when compared to the UK's anti-social behaviour rates, which were 41% higher in Pelton and Ouston. The stark contrast between the area's overall safety and specific categories—such as the 90% higher rate of criminal damage and arson than the UK average—highlights the need for nuanced analysis. While the population-scaled perspective suggests a generally secure environment, the elevated rates in certain categories indicate that localised issues may require targeted interventions. For residents, the 46.5% month-on-month drop underscores the potential effectiveness of recent policing strategies, though continued monitoring of specific crime types like anti-social behaviour is essential to maintaining this progress.