Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

January 2024 marked a troubling upward trend in crime for Ushaw Moor and Bearpark, with the area’s overall crime rate rising to 6.8 per 1,000 residents—a figure 8.1% below the UK average but reflecting a 49.9% increase from December. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 45.2% of all reported crimes, with 19 incidents occurring at a rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents, 19% above the UK average. This spike in violent crime likely contributes to heightened concerns among residents, particularly given the post-holiday context, which often sees shifts in community activity and public space usage. The area also saw a notable rise in criminal damage and arson, with a 100% increase in reported cases, potentially linked to seasonal factors such as colder weather and reduced outdoor activity. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, remained a persistent issue, contributing to 11.9% of all crimes. The seasonal context of January—marked by shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may have influenced crime patterns, with some categories, like shoplifting, declining by 83.3% compared to December. However, the sharp increase in vehicle crime and possession of weapons suggests new dynamics at play, tied to changes in local demographics or unaddressed community tensions. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, such as public spaces and transport hubs, where violent and property-related crimes are concentrated. While the area remains statistically safer than the UK average, the month-on-month rise in violence and damage-related offences deserves closer attention from both residents and local authorities.

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 45.2% of all crimes in January 2024, with 19 incidents reported—a rate of 3.1 per 1,000, 19% above the UK average. This surge in violent crime contrasts with a significant drop in shoplifting, which fell by 83.3% from 6 to 1 incident. Criminal damage and arson also saw a 100% increase, rising from 3 to 6 cases, marking a stark shift in the crime mix toward property-related offences. Vehicle crime, another category showing a 100% rise, may reflect increased activity during the post-holiday period. The spike in possession of weapons—up 100% from zero to one incident—raises concerns about potential weapon-related violence. These trends highlight areas where residents may need to heighten awareness, particularly in public spaces and during late hours.

Ushaw Moor and Bearpark's crime rate rose sharply in January 2024, jumping from 4.5 to 6.8 per 1,000 residents—a 49.9% increase from December. This upward trend contrasts with the area’s overall 8.1% below the UK average for the month. On a daily basis, the built-up area recorded one crime per day in January, a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of reported incidents in a relatively small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 148 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a community of just over 6,000 people. This monthly exposure rate, though lower than the UK average, underscores the need for vigilance in a densely populated area where crime is concentrated. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the area remains statistically safer than the UK average, the sharp month-on-month rise suggests localized pressures that may warrant further attention.