Pelton and Ouston Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Pelton and Ouston's January 2024 crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 18.9% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, a position that reflects a combination of local factors and broader national trends. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (41.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (19.4%) and shoplifting (13.9%). This distribution suggests a combination of community dynamics and specific vulnerabilities, such as the prominence of anti-social behaviour in a built-up area with limited public spaces for informal social interaction. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with reduced retail footfall and shorter days—likely contributes to the lower-than-expected shoplifting rates compared to other months, though the 400% increase from December indicates a sudden spike that may require further scrutiny. Violence and sexual offences, while still below the UK average, rose by 50% from December, potentially reflecting the end of the festive season and the return to regular social patterns. The area's overall safety profile, despite these fluctuations, remains better than the national average, a trend that could be attributed to effective local policing or the relatively low population density of the built-up area within County Durham.

January 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting, which rose by 400% from one incident to five, and in 'other crime', which doubled to three incidents. Violence and sexual offences also climbed by 50%, reaching 15 cases, though this category remains 4% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 50%, dropping from two to one incident, aligning with the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, however, rose 21% above the UK average, with seven incidents reported. These shifts suggest a mix of localized pressures and seasonal factors, such as post-holiday retail patterns influencing shoplifting, while reduced vehicle-related crime may reflect shorter days and fewer outdoor activities. For residents, the 400% jump in shoplifting highlights the need for vigilance in retail areas during the post-holiday period.

Pelton and Ouston's crime rate in January 2024 rose to 6.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 38.3% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000. This upward trend, while notable, still places the area 18.9% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 167 residents. This figure provides context for local residents: over the course of January, the likelihood of experiencing a crime was 1 in 167, a relatively low figure compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the month-on-month rise, the area's overall crime profile remains significantly below the national benchmark, suggesting structural factors such as community policing or demographic characteristics may contribute to sustained lower rates. The shift in crime mix, with anti-social behaviour and shoplifting rising may reflect seasonal patterns or localized pressures that warrant further observation.