Derbyshire Dales Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Derbyshire Dales recorded a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, a figure 25.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This places the area among the safer regions in the country, despite a 30.0% increase from the previous month. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.1% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.2%) and public order offences (10.1%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may contribute to the patterns observed, though this is consistent with broader rural trends where lower population density and limited commercial activity often correlate with reduced crime. Violent crime, the most common category, remained 24% below the UK average, highlighting a persistent gap that may reflect the area's character as a largely rural district with fewer high-density urban centres. Anti-social behaviour, though rising, remains in line with the UK average (1.1 per 1,000), suggesting localised factors such as community dynamics or seasonal events may be at play. The low rates of shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) further underscore the impact of geography, with fewer retail hubs and lower traffic volumes reducing opportunities for such crimes. These figures illustrate a region where crime remains relatively low, though the month-on-month increases in public order and anti-social behaviour warrant closer attention.

February 2024 marked a dramatic shift in public order offences, which surged by 171.4% from 14 to 38 cases. This spike, alongside a 66.7% increase in anti-social behaviour (from 48 to 80), suggests a notable uptick in community tensions or disruptions. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 12.5% (from 16 to 14), possibly linked to reduced traffic during winter months. Violent crimes, the most common category, remained 24% below the UK average at 1.9 per 1,000, illustrating a persistent divergence from national trends. The drop in possession of weapons (50.0%) and other crime (40.0%) may reflect seasonal factors, such as lower outdoor activity in February. For residents, the 63% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average (0.2 vs 0.5 per 1,000) offers a tangible insight into local crime patterns, influenced by fewer tourists in rural areas during winter.

Derbyshire Dales saw a 30.0% increase in its crime rate from 4.0 per 1,000 in January 2024 to 5.3 per 1,000 in February 2024. This rise, though notable, still places the area 25.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the local figure of 13 crimes per day offers a snapshot of activity, though it is a standalone metric without UK-wide comparison. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 190 residents, a monthly aggregate that contextualises the scale of incidents in a way that avoids overemphasising frequency. The population-scaled perspective shows that while the rate has risen, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with violent crime alone 24% below national levels. This contrast underscores the unique characteristics of Derbyshire Dales, where rural geography and lower population density may contribute to lower crime rates despite the upward trend in February.