Ashbourne Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 saw Ashbourne's overall crime rate remain significantly lower than the UK average, at 5.5 per 1,000 residents — 32.1% below the national figure of 8.1 per 1,000. Despite this, the area experienced a sharp rise in violent crimes, which accounted for 65.4% of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences, in particular, were 35% above the UK average, with 34 cases recorded — a rate of 3.6 per 1,000. This spike may partly explain the area's elevated violent crime profile, even as property crime remained low. Anti-social behaviour and drug-related offences followed, contributing 11.5% and 3.9% of total crimes, respectively, both well below UK averages. The month’s seasonal context — darker evenings, the approach of Halloween, and the clock change — likely influenced patterns, with increased visibility of nightlife activity potentially contributing to higher rates of violent incidents. While Ashbourne’s crime picture is generally safer than the UK average, the concentration of violent crimes raises concerns for residents, particularly in the evenings. This contrasts with other areas of the UK where property crime dominates, highlighting the unique dynamics of this built-up area within Derbyshire Dales.

October 2024 marked a notable shift in Ashbourne’s crime profile, with three categories seeing 100% increases compared to September: robbery, burglary, and criminal damage and arson. Robbery, previously unreported, rose to one incident, while burglary and criminal damage each moved from zero to one. These jumps, though small in absolute terms, signal emerging trends that warrant attention. Concurrently, public order offences dropped by 60%, and shoplifting and other theft both fell by 50%, suggesting a temporary decline in opportunistic crimes. The violent crime rate — 3.6 per 1,000 — was 35% above the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the area’s overall safety record. This imbalance may reflect local factors, such as the proximity of Ashbourne to larger urban centres, where violent crime rates are typically higher. For residents, the rise in violent crimes is a key concern, particularly as Halloween approaches, with darker evenings potentially increasing the risk of incidents. The drop in anti-social behaviour and property crime, however, offers a counterpoint, indicating that community-focused policing or seasonal factors may have contributed to these decreases. These shifts underscore the need for continued vigilance and tailored strategies to address the growing focus on violent crime.

Ashbourne’s crime rate in October 2024 rose by 36.7% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.0 per 1,000 to 5.5 per 1,000. This increase, though modest in the context of the area’s generally low crime profile, translates to a daily average of two crimes reported — a figure that may seem more pronounced to residents given the town’s small population of 9,440. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while lower than many UK towns, highlights the impact of individual incidents in a close-knit community. When compared to the UK average, Ashbourne’s overall safety remains evident, but the disproportionate rise in violent crimes — which are 35% above the national rate — contrasts with the area’s historically low property crime rates. This divergence may reflect the town’s position as a commuter hub or its proximity to larger cities, where violent crime is more common. The previous month’s data, which showed a lower rate, suggests that October’s figures represent a temporary fluctuation, influenced by seasonal factors such as the clock change and Halloween. Residents should remain aware of the increased focus on violent crime, even as the overall risk remains below the UK average.