Ashbourne Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,440, 37 crimes reported in December 2024 equate to 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents — 45.1% below the UK average of 7.1. This stark contrast highlights Ashbourne’s relatively low crime profile compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences (14 cases, 37.8% of total) remain the most prevalent category, followed by public order (6 cases) and other theft (5 cases). The seasonal context of December — with extended evenings, holiday shopping, and transient populations — may partly explain the distribution of crime types. While violent crime dominates, property crime accounts for 45.8% of the total, suggesting a balance between interpersonal and economic factors. The low overall rate, despite the holiday season, aligns with Ashbourne’s character as a rural built-up area with limited commercial density, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain crimes. However, the presence of public order offences — 33% above the UK average — indicates specific local pressures, linked to increased foot traffic during festive events or alcohol-related incidents in social spaces. This data underscores the need for targeted interventions during peak seasonal periods while maintaining the area’s overall safety record.

December 2024 saw significant month-on-month shifts in crime patterns. Public order offences surged by 200% (2 to 6 cases), likely reflecting heightened activity during festive events or alcohol-related incidents in public spaces. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson jumped 300% (1 to 4 cases), possibly tied to holiday decorations or vandalism linked to empty homes over the festive period. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 50% (2 to 1 case), potentially due to reduced car usage during colder weather or increased security measures. The breakdown of crime types reveals striking contrasts with the UK average: violence and sexual offences (1.5 per 1,000) are 41% below the national rate, while bicycle theft (0.1 per 1,000) is 100% above the UK average, suggesting a unique local vulnerability. For residents, the 33% increase in public order offences compared to the UK average (0.5 per 1,000 vs 0.7 per 1,000) highlights a specific challenge in managing crowd-related incidents during peak holiday periods. These shifts illustrate how seasonal dynamics — from extended evenings to holiday foot traffic — can amplify or suppress certain crime types in a rural setting.

December 2024’s crime rate (3.9 per 1,000) marks a 27.7% increase from November’s 3.1 per 1,000, yet remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 255 residents — a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area’s safety relative to national benchmarks. On a daily basis, the 37 crimes spread over 31 days equate to roughly 1 crime per day, a figure that, while non-zero, reflects the low baseline of criminal activity in Ashbourne. When contextualised against the area’s population of 9,440, the 3.9 per 1,000 rate translates to just 36.8 crimes annually — a manageable number for local policing and community resources. This compares to the UK’s 7.1 per 1,000, which would equate to 670 crimes annually in Ashbourne’s population. The stark contrast reinforces Ashbourne’s status as a relatively safe built-up area. monthly increase indicates a need for vigilance during peak seasonal periods. Residents should note that while the overall rate is low, the 33% above UK average for public order offences highlights a targeted area for local authorities to address, particularly in managing festive crowds and ensuring public spaces remain secure.