Ashbourne Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,440, Ashbourne recorded 46 crimes in December 2025, translating to a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents—30% below the UK average of 7.0. This figure underscores the area’s relatively safe profile, particularly when compared to larger urban centres. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (19 cases, 41.3% of total), followed by shoplifting (17.4%) and criminal damage and arson (13.0%). Seasonal factors likely influenced these trends: the peak of Christmas shopping may have driven shoplifting, while dark evenings and empty homes over the holidays could have contributed to the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson. Violence and sexual offences, though the largest single category, were 22% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect Ashbourne’s built-up area characteristics, including lower population density and fewer high-risk environments typical of larger cities. The lower prevalence of anti-social behaviour (68% below UK average) and vehicle crime (73% below UK average) further illustrates the town’s distinct crime profile, shaped by its rural-adjacent location and limited commercial activity compared to metropolitan areas. These patterns highlight a combination of geographic and seasonal influences, with festive activity likely amplifying certain offences while others remain subdued due to the area’s unique demographic and environmental context.

December 2025 marked a stark contrast in crime trends, with shoplifting surging by 300% (from 2 to 8 cases), driven by festive shopping activity. This increase, though significant, remains below the UK average for the category by 58%, suggesting localized controls may have mitigated broader spikes. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 57.1% (from 7 to 3 cases), possibly reflecting seasonal changes in community engagement or holiday-related social dynamics. Violent crimes, though the most common category (19 cases), were 22% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences, a figure that may partly explain the town’s overall lower crime rate. The sharp rise in criminal damage and arson (+500%) from 1 to 6 cases highlights a concerning trend, linked to empty homes during the festive season. For residents, the 300% shoplifting increase offers a tangible example of how seasonal factors can directly impact local crime patterns.

December 2025 saw a 9.8% decrease in Ashbourne's crime rate, dropping from 5.4 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. This follows a pattern observed in previous months, where seasonal factors and community initiatives may have contributed to sustained reductions. On a daily basis, the area recorded one crime per day, a figure that aligns with the town’s relatively low population density and stable community structures. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 205 residents, a rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to Ashbourne’s population of 9,440. This monthly exposure figure suggests that residents face a significantly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national average, though localized spikes in specific categories, such as shoplifting, remain areas of focus. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Ashbourne’s crime profile is distinct from larger urban centres, with its built-up area characteristics likely influencing the distribution of offences.