Ashbourne Crime Rate

Ashbourne's crime rate of 68.4 per 1,000 residents is 25% below the UK average, yet it shows a 22.1% annual increase. This paradox highlights rising shoplifting (up 104% YoY) and public order incidents (26% above UK average), despite its overall safety score of 83/100. The town's unique blend of commuter activity and market dynamics creates a distinct crime profile compared to nearby areas like Mayfield and Hulland Ward.

Ashbourne is a historic market town in Derbyshire Dales, known for its cobbled streets, independent shops, and proximity to the Peak District. As a commuter hub with a mix of residential and retail areas, its crime profile reflects moderate foot traffic and a stable local population. The town's relatively low property crime rate may benefit from its rural-urban balance, while its higher public order incidents could relate to local events or community interactions.

Ashbourne's most surprising finding is that public order crimes are 26% above the UK average (7.9 vs 6.3 per 1,000), despite its generally safe reputation. This may stem from the town's market activities and community events, which attract transient crowds. Violence and sexual offences, though 4% below the UK average, are rising by 17% YoY, likely linked to seasonal tourism and commuter patterns. Anti-social behaviour (8.1 per 1,000) is 46% below the UK average but increasing, possibly due to youth activity in town centres. Notably, shoplifting (5.4 per 1,000) has surged by 104% YoY, potentially driven by retail turnover during peak shopping seasons.

Ashbourne's crime rate increased by 22.1% YoY, with shoplifting surging by 104% (5.4 per 1,000) and public order crimes rising by 33.9% (7.9 per 1,000). The monthly trend shows a distinct peak in July (8.1 per 1,000), likely linked to summer tourism and market activity. Despite this, property crime remains 44.8% below the UK average, and burglary has decreased by 5.3% YoY.

How To Keep Safe in Ashbourne

For rising public order incidents, avoid isolated areas during evening hours and report suspicious behaviour via 101. Secure vehicles overnight in well-lit, visible locations to combat vehicle crime. Use Neighbourhood Watch alerts for community updates. During peak shopping seasons, retailers should implement scOS's multi-camera monitoring to deter shoplifting, which has surged by 104% YoY.

Crime in Ashbourne follows distinct daily rhythms. Theft peaks in the afternoon (40% of cases), aligning with retail activity and commuter traffic. Vehicle crime spikes at night (21% of cases), likely due to parked cars in residential areas. Burglary is most common in the evening (15%), reflecting increased home occupancy. Other crimes (63% of night-time incidents) may relate to late-night public spaces. The town's lower morning crime rates (37% theft) suggest fewer opportunities for opportunistic theft during early hours.

Ashbourne's crime rate (68.4 per 1,000) is 121% higher than Mayfield (East Staffordshire) and 134% higher than Hulland Ward, which have rates of 30.9 and 29.3 per 1,000 respectively. This contrast likely reflects Ashbourne's greater population density and commuter traffic, compared to the more rural and sparsely populated neighbouring areas.

Home security in Ashbourne should prioritise vehicle crime prevention, given the 75% below UK average rate but night-time spikes. scOS's DVLA vehicle registration verification and proactive boundary detection can help identify unauthorised vehicles near properties. For public order incidents, multi-camera monitoring with behavioural pattern learning reduces false alarms, while autonomous deterrence features like lighting and speakers can disrupt potential offenders.