Matlock Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Matlock’s December 2023 crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents places the area 25% above the UK average of 7.2, a disparity that stands out in the context of seasonal fluctuations. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, contributing 47.5% of all reported incidents—far exceeding the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category’s 64% gap above the national rate may reflect local factors such as the area’s built-up character, which could concentrate certain vulnerabilities, or the pressures of a holiday season marked by social gatherings and transient populations. Other notable crime types include criminal damage and arson (8.9% of total), public order offences (8.9%), and shoplifting (7.9%), all of which are significantly above the UK average. These trends align with December’s typical dynamics: darker evenings, increased foot traffic in retail areas, and the potential for empty homes during the Christmas break to attract opportunistic criminals. While property crimes make up 29% of the total, the overwhelming share of violent crime suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-risk settings, such as public spaces or venues frequented during the festive period. The data also highlights areas of relative strength, like anti-social behaviour, which fell 46% below the UK average, indicating effective community policing or local initiatives that have curbed disruptive conduct. However, the sharp rise in drug-related crimes and criminal damage underscores the need for a nuanced approach that addresses both immediate public safety concerns and underlying socioeconomic factors. Matlock’s crime picture in December 2023, therefore, is one of contrast: a built-up area grappling with elevated violence and property crime, yet showing pockets of resilience in categories like anti-social behaviour, which may offer lessons for broader crime reduction strategies.

December 2023 saw a dramatic 800% surge in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 9 incidents, likely linked to seasonal factors like festive decorations and colder weather. Concurrently, drug-related crimes skyrocketed by 500%, increasing from 1 to 6, a spike that may reflect holiday-related activity or shifts in local enforcement focus. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 50%, dropping from 12 to 6, possibly due to increased community engagement during the festive season or temporary deterrents from heightened police presence. Shoplifting also decreased by 20%, from 10 to 8, suggesting that retail strategies or seasonal consumer behaviour may have mitigated theft in high-street areas. Violence and sexual offences—accounting for 47.5% of all crimes—remain 64% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect Matlock’s specific demographics or local challenges in addressing violent crime during the holiday period.

Matlock's December 2023 crime rate of 9.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 53.1% increase from November’s 5.9 per 1,000, reflecting a stark shift in local crime dynamics. Over the 31 days of December, 101 crimes were recorded, translating to approximately 3 crimes per day—a rate that, while localised, underscores the month’s heightened activity. When considering monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 111 residents, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a built-up area with seasonal fluctuations. The population context reveals that Matlock’s 11,179 residents face a crime rate 25% above the UK average, yet the daily crime count remains a local metric without direct UK comparison. This contrast highlights how Matlock’s unique characteristics, such as its proximity to Derbyshire Dales’ rural expanses and its own urban core, may influence crime patterns differently than national trends. The absence of a UK daily figure means this local data must stand on its own, though it aligns with seasonal patterns typical of December, when empty homes and festive gatherings can amplify certain crime types.