Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark revealed a combination of property and violent crime, with the latter narrowly edging out the former. The area’s overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents places it 27.5% below the UK average, a figure that underscores the effectiveness of local policing or the area’s inherent characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.9% of all crimes reported, making them the most prevalent category. This dominance of violent crime, while lower than the UK average for the category, contrasts with the relatively low rates of property crimes such as shoplifting and burglary. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, the transition to winter, and Halloween—may have influenced patterns, with increased reports of criminal damage and arson likely tied to outdoor activities and the holiday’s spook-themed events. However, the sharp decline in shoplifting (83.3% month-on-month) suggests that reduced pedestrian traffic during the early autumn could have dampened opportunities for retail theft. The area’s low crime rate may also reflect its rural or semi-rural nature, where smaller populations and lower population density can limit the scale of certain crimes. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, however, remain areas of concern, with the former aligning closely with the UK average and the latter exceeding it by 75%. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies to address specific crime types while maintaining the overall safety of the community.

October saw a stark shift in the balance between property and violent crime, with violent crimes (14) slightly outnumbering property crimes (13). This contrast is notable, as violent crime typically constitutes a smaller share of total crimes in this area. The most dramatic change was the 600% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from one to seven incidents—a surge that may reflect seasonal factors such as Halloween activities or colder weather prompting more outdoor fires. Conversely, shoplifting fell sharply by 83.3%, from 12 to 2, possibly due to reduced foot traffic during the early autumn period. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 33.3%, though they remain significantly above the UK average for this category (15% below the national rate). The area’s violent crime rate (2.3 per 1,000) is lower than the UK average, but anti-social behaviour (1.3 per 1,000) is only 2% above the national figure, highlighting local challenges in managing public order.

In October 2023, Ushaw Moor and Bearpark recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, a 26.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as shorter daylight hours and the start of the school term may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported each day in October, reflecting a low but consistent level of activity. When scaled to the population, this means that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 173 residents—a figure that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime compared to larger urban centres. While the UK average daily crime rate is not provided, the local context suggests that the area’s small population and rural character contribute to its lower overall crime rate. The drop from the previous month may also be influenced by targeted policing efforts or natural fluctuations in criminal activity during the transition from autumn to winter.