Ashbourne Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,440, 50 crimes reported in December 2023 translates to one incident for every 189 residents over the month—a figure that contextualises the scale of criminal activity in Ashbourne. This rate of 5.3 crimes per 1,000 residents places the built-up area 26.4% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to the national picture. The breakdown of offences reveals a distinct pattern: violence and sexual offences (26 cases, 52% of total) dominate, followed by anti-social behaviour (6 cases) and public order incidents (5 cases). These figures align with the seasonal context of December, a time marked by heightened retail activity, extended evenings, and the holiday period, which may partly explain the concentration of violent crimes. While the area’s low property crime rate (11 cases, 22% of total) contrasts with the UK average, the prominence of violent offences suggests a different dynamic at play. The relative absence of burglary, vehicle crime, and shoplifting compared to national trends may reflect the character of Ashbourne as a largely rural built-up area, where community cohesion and lower population density could contribute to reduced property-related offences. However, the high proportion of violent crimes—particularly those involving sexual offences—demands further contextual analysis, linked to local demographics or seasonal social patterns.

December 2023 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime types. Anti-social behaviour surged by 100%, rising from 3 to 6 incidents, while robbery and possession of weapons both doubled from zero to two cases each. Conversely, shoplifting plummeted by 85.7%, dropping from 7 to 1, a decline consistent with the holiday season’s reduced retail foot traffic. The mix of crimes shifted notably: violent offences accounted for 52% of all incidents, compared to property crimes’ 22%, a stark contrast to the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. Violence and sexual offences in Ashbourne (2.8 per 1,000) exceeded the national rate (2.6 per 1,000) by 7%, suggesting a localised concentration of such incidents. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (0.6 per 1,000) was 35% below the UK average, and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) was 78% below, potentially reflecting the area’s lower population density and reduced urban anonymity. A resident would find the 100% increase in robbery cases particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a sudden spike in targeted thefts that could signal emerging patterns requiring local attention.

The crime rate in Ashbourne dropped by 5.5% from 5.6 per 1,000 in November to 5.3 per 1,000 in December 2023, indicating a modest but measurable decline. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in December, a figure that remains consistent with the low overall rate. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure of 1 crime per 189 residents illustrates the relatively low risk faced by individuals in Ashbourne compared to the UK average. This monthly aggregate highlights the rarity of criminal incidents in the area, even as specific categories like violence and sexual offences remain elevated. The population context—9,440 residents in a built-up area within the Derbyshire Dales—further underscores the significance of these figures: for a small, rural community, 50 crimes represent a substantial volume, yet the distribution across offence types suggests a focus on interpersonal rather than property-based crimes. This contrast with the UK average, where property crimes typically outnumber violent offences, reinforces the unique character of Ashbourne’s crime profile. The data also reveals that while the area’s overall safety is above the national standard, targeted issues like robbery and sexual violence require continued monitoring, particularly in light of seasonal factors such as holiday-related social dynamics.