Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The per-capita crime rate in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark for February 2024 stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure 15.5% below the UK average of 7.1. This lower rate, combined with a 12.0% month-on-month decline from January’s 6.8, reflects seasonal patterns typical of smaller built-up areas during winter, when reduced outdoor activity and lower foot traffic contribute to a natural decrease in crime. However, the distribution of crime types reveals significant local variations. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category at 27% of total incidents, dropped by 47.4% compared to January, a decline consistent with the reduced social interaction and outdoor engagement associated with colder months. Shoplifting, the second most common crime at 16.2% of total incidents, surged by 500% from January, highlighting a sharp local trend that diverges from the UK average. This category’s rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents is 85% higher than the national average of 0.5, suggesting that local retail environments may be more susceptible to such offences. Anti-social behaviour, at 13.5% of total crimes, remained 24% below the UK average, potentially due to the area’s lower population density or community-focused policing strategies. The balance between property and violent crimes also shifted, with property crimes accounting for 51.4% of total incidents (19 out of 37), compared to 27.0% for violent crimes. This suggests that while the area is relatively safe in terms of violent crime, property-related issues remain a focus for local authorities. The seasonal context of February—characterised by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributes to the overall decline in crime, though the surge in shoplifting indicates that local factors such as retail activity or seasonal shopping patterns may independently influence specific crime categories. These dynamics illustrate the importance of considering both national trends and local conditions when interpreting crime statistics, ensuring that policy responses are tailored to the unique characteristics of the area.

February 2024 witnessed a dramatic 500% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from one to six cases over the month. This surge, though modest in absolute terms, suggests heightened vulnerability in retail environments, potentially linked to seasonal shopping patterns or gaps in store security. Concurrently, burglary rates tripled from one to four incidents, a 300% rise that may reflect increased opportunistic activity during winter, when homes are more likely to be unoccupied or less visible. In contrast, violence and sexual offences fell by 47.4%, aligning with reduced outdoor activity during colder months. Shoplifting rates in the area were 85% above the UK average (1.0 vs 0.5 per 1,000), indicating a localised challenge in retail crime prevention. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained 24% below the UK average, a trend that may reflect the area’s lower population density or effective community policing efforts. For residents, the 500% rise in shoplifting underscores the need for vigilance in local stores, even as overall crime rates remain below the national average. The 100% increase in other thefts also highlights the importance of awareness in public spaces, where personal belongings may be more vulnerable.

February 2024 saw the crime rate in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark fall to 6.0 per 1,000 residents, a 12.0% decrease from January’s 6.8. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns in smaller built-up areas during winter, when colder temperatures and reduced daylight hours curtail outdoor activity and foot traffic. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that translates to a manageable frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 168 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low exposure to crime for the majority of the population. While this rate is 15.5% below the UK average of 7.1, the distribution of crime types reveals a more nuanced picture. For instance, shoplifting and burglary rates are higher than national benchmarks, suggesting that local factors such as retail density or transient populations may influence these categories independently of broader trends. This contrast highlights the importance of viewing crime statistics through both a macro and micro lens, ensuring that local contexts are not overlooked in national comparisons.