Matlock Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 11,179 residents, 115 crimes reported in April 2023 translates to 10.3 crimes per 1,000 people — a rate 37.3% higher than the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure places Matlock among the areas with elevated crime levels in England and Wales. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 39.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (23.5%) and criminal damage and arson (12.2%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of April, a time of increased outdoor activity during the Easter holidays and milder spring weather. The spike in violence and sexual offences may reflect greater foot traffic in public spaces as the town's retail and hospitality sectors ramp up for the summer season. Anti-social behaviour, which is 103% above the UK average, could be linked to the area's built-up character within the Derbyshire Dales, where urban density may amplify noise complaints, vandalism, and other disruptive incidents. The elevated rates of criminal damage and arson (113% above UK average) suggest potential issues with property maintenance or targeted vandalism in specific neighbourhoods. These figures contrast with lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (17% below UK) and vehicle crime (11% below UK), which may indicate effective local initiatives or fewer opportunities for these crimes in the area's built-up environment.

April 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types compared to March. Criminal damage and arson surged by 133.3%, jumping from 6 to 14 incidents — the largest increase of any category. This rise may be tied to seasonal factors, with warmer weather encouraging more outdoor activity and potentially more opportunities for vandalism. Conversely, burglary plummeted by 88.9% (from 9 to 1), and drugs-related crimes fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), suggesting a possible shift in criminal activity patterns during the Easter period. Violence and sexual offences, which are 54% above the UK average, remained the dominant category, with 45 incidents — a rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This is particularly concerning given Matlock's status as a built-up area within a rural district, where concentrated populations may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Anti-social behaviour, which is 103% above the UK average, remained a persistent issue, with 27 incidents reported. This category includes disturbances such as noise complaints and public disorder, which could be exacerbated by the town's seasonal tourism and retail activity. The sharp increase in 'other crime' (100% rise from 0 to 3 incidents) raises questions about emerging crime types not captured by standard classifications, though further analysis would be needed to identify specific trends.

Matlock's crime rate in April 2023 (10.3 per 1,000) marked a 32.3% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.8 per 1,000, indicating a significant upward trend. This rise is particularly notable when considering the daily crime context: 115 total crimes over 30 days equate to roughly 4 crimes per day — a figure that may concern residents. On a population-scaled basis, the monthly exposure rate means that over the course of April, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 97 residents. This translates to a 1-in-97 chance of being directly affected by crime, which is higher than the UK average when scaled similarly. The contrast between Matlock's crime profile and the national average is stark, with several categories far exceeding UK norms. For example, the rate of violence and sexual offences is 54% above the UK average, and anti-social behaviour is 103% above the national figure. These disparities may reflect local characteristics such as the town's built-up environment within a rural area, where urban density can amplify certain types of crime. However, some categories show lower-than-average rates, including shoplifting (17% below UK) and vehicle crime (11% below UK), which could indicate effective policing or fewer opportunities for these crimes in the area's specific context.