Ashbourne Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ashbourne's crime profile in April 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by the area's character as a market town within a rural district. With a crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 residents—1.3% below the UK average—the overall picture suggests a relatively safe environment, though specific crime types show notable variations. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 37.1% of all incidents, a proportion that may be influenced by the town's mix of local businesses and transient visitors during the Easter period. Public order offences (11.4%) and anti-social behaviour (11.4%) followed closely, though the latter fell 24% below the UK average, potentially reflecting effective community management or lower population density. Seasonal factors in April—such as milder weather and increased outdoor activity—likely contributed to the prominence of violence and sexual offences, which often rise during periods of heightened social interaction. Meanwhile, property crimes like burglary (8.6%) and vehicle crime (7.1%) were higher than UK averages, linked to the area's built-up nature and the presence of residential properties near commercial zones. These patterns highlight the combination of local geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms in shaping crime dynamics, offering insights for targeted policing and community initiatives.

April 2023 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with other theft rising by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and criminal damage and arson doubling (from 2 to 6). These spikes may reflect seasonal patterns, such as increased outdoor activity during spring or temporary events in the area. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 50%, likely tied to the Easter holiday period reducing foot traffic in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime type (37.1% of total), remained 8% above the UK average, a discrepancy that could be attributed to Ashbourne's market town dynamics, where interactions in retail and hospitality settings may contribute to such incidents. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting both fell below UK averages, suggesting local efforts in community engagement or environmental design may be yielding results.

Ashbourne's crime rate in April 2023 remained stable at 7.4 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's rate of 7.5 per 1,000. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall safety levels, though small fluctuations are expected in any given period. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the low population density typical of a built-up area within a rural district. Over the course of April, the monthly exposure to crime translated to one reported incident for every 135 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in this part of Derbyshire. When compared to the UK average, Ashbourne's rate is 1.3% lower, a marginal difference that could reflect local factors such as community policing efforts or the area's market town character, which may inherently have lower crime concentrations than larger urban centres.