Derbyshire Dales Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Derbyshire Dales' crime profile in April 2023 reveals a notable shift in the balance between property and violent crime, with property-related incidents slightly outpacing violent crimes for the first time this year. The overall crime rate stood at 6.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 20% below the UK average of 7.5. This disparity may partly reflect the district's rural character, where property crime is more commonly linked to agricultural or residential infrastructure, while violent crime remains relatively low due to sparse population density. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.6%) and public order incidents (11.2%). The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter and the transition to spring—may have influenced patterns, with increased outdoor activity contributing to anti-social behaviour and public order issues. However, the violent crime rate (1.9 per 1,000) was 27% below the UK average, suggesting that community cohesion and rural isolation may act as natural deterrents to more severe offences. This balance between property and violent crime raises questions about local factors, such as seasonal tourism or agricultural activity, which could temporarily elevate property-related incidents without corresponding spikes in violence. The data highlights a combination of geography and crime type, with rural areas often exhibiting distinct profiles compared to urban centres.

April 2023 saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 164.3% (14 to 37 incidents) and 'other crime' rising 120% (5 to 11). These increases may reflect the Easter holiday period, during which temporary residents or increased traffic could contribute to vehicle-related offences. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 75% (4 to 1), and burglary decreased by 30% (30 to 21), indicating improved local policing or seasonal changes in residential activity. The violent crime rate (1.9 per 1,000) remained 27% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributed to the area's rural nature, where social networks and lower population density could reduce opportunities for violent encounters. Shoplifting in Derbyshire Dales was 58% below the UK average (0.2 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a figure that could align with the district's limited retail presence compared to urban areas. For residents, the 24.3% rise in the overall crime rate from March (4.8 to 6.0 per 1,000) underscores the importance of monitoring seasonal trends, as April's data shows a marked divergence from previous months.

Derbyshire Dales' crime rate in April 2023 rose 24.3% compared to March's 4.8 per 1,000, marking the first monthly increase since January. This rise translates to 14 reported crimes per day on average, a figure that, while modest, suggests a need for vigilance during the Easter period. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 167 residents—a rate that, when scaled to the area's population of 71,757, highlights the relative safety of the district compared to larger urban centres. The UK average of 7.5 per 1,000 underscores Derbyshire Dales' position as a low-crime area, with violent crimes remaining 27% below the national benchmark. However, the monthly exposure figure (1-in-167 residents) should be contextualised within the district's rural landscape, where lower population density naturally reduces the frequency of crime. Daily crime counts, while locally significant, are less impactful in a rural setting where community networks and limited public spaces may deter criminal activity. The comparison to the UK average also reveals that certain categories—such as public order offences—exceeded national rates by 9%, a discrepancy that may reflect local policing priorities or the influence of seasonal events like Easter.