Derby Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, Derby's per-capita crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents placed it 50% above the UK average of 7.0. This rate translates to one reported crime for every 95 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the everyday exposure to crime in the city. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (43.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (9.6%) and shoplifting (8.6%). These patterns align with Derby's role as a major urban centre with a significant retail presence and a history of industrial activity that may contribute to persistent issues with public order and personal safety. Seasonal factors in December—such as extended periods of darkness, the Christmas shopping peak, and the temporary absence of residents during holiday travel—likely amplify these trends. Violence and sexual offences, which are 79% above the UK average, may be linked to the city's nightlife and transport hubs, where higher foot traffic and alcohol consumption could increase the risk of such incidents. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates, 58% above the national average, are consistent with Derby's numerous retail outlets and the potential for opportunistic theft during the festive season. The data suggests that while Derby's crime profile reflects national patterns, its urban density and specific economic characteristics create conditions where crime rates remain elevated compared to the UK as a whole.

December 2025 saw notable shifts in Derby's crime profile, with theft from the person increasing by 50% (24 to 36 cases), a sharp rise that may reflect heightened vulnerability during the festive season when public spaces are crowded with shoppers and holiday revelers. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 17.8% (101 to 83 cases), potentially due to fewer vehicles on the road during the Christmas holidays and the temporary closure of some commercial premises. The city's violence and sexual offences rate—4.6 per 1,000—remained 79% above the UK average, a disparity that may be attributed to Derby's status as a transport hub with a high concentration of transient populations. Public order offences, at 0.9 per 1,000, were 105% above the UK average, a figure that could be connected to the city's nightlife and the increased social activity typical of December. Vehicle crime was the only category below the UK average (19% below), a contrast that may reflect Derby's commuter infrastructure and the associated risks of car theft in high-traffic areas. These fluctuations highlight the combination of seasonal dynamics and the city's unique urban structure, where some crime types are amplified while others are mitigated by temporary changes in population movement and activity.

Derby's crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 in December 2025 was 1.4% higher than the previous month's rate of 10.3, indicating a stable trend rather than a sharp increase. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 93 crimes per day—a figure that, while not immediately intuitive, illustrates the constant presence of criminal activity in urban spaces. When scaled to the population of 274,149 residents, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 95 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure metric provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it does not account for the distribution of crime across different areas or times of day. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, a gap that remains significant despite the slight month-on-month fluctuation. While Derby's crime profile is broadly consistent with national trends—such as the prevalence of violence and sexual offences—the city's rates for certain categories, like public order and shoplifting, are higher. This divergence may be explained by Derby's urban density, its retail and transport infrastructure, and the seasonal factors that amplify specific types of crime during December. For residents, the daily crime count and monthly exposure figures serve as reminders of the persistent need for vigilance in public spaces, even as the overall rate remains relatively stable.