Matlock Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 11,179 residents, Matlock recorded 94 crimes in April 2024, translating to 8.4 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 9.1% higher than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a pattern of elevated local issues. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.2% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.9%) and criminal damage and arson (13.8%). These figures suggest a combination of factors, including the town's character as a historic spa town with both residential and tourist activity. The spring season, with Easter events and increased outdoor activity, may partly explain the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Matlock is 17% above the UK average, a disparity that could be linked to local social dynamics or policing patterns. While property crimes make up 29.8% of the total (28 crimes), the disproportionate focus on violent crime highlights the need for targeted community engagement. The absence of significant drops in property crime, despite a 70% below UK average for shoplifting, suggests varied crime drivers in different categories. These patterns may be influenced by the town's mix of older residential areas and newer developments, where different communities interact in distinct ways.

April 2024 saw dramatic shifts in crime trends, with criminal damage and arson surging by 225% compared to March, rising from 4 to 13 incidents. This spike, coupled with a 100% increase in bicycle theft (from 0 to 2 cases) and a 100% rise in 'other crime' (from 1 to 2), points to emerging local challenges. Conversely, shoplifting fell sharply by 81.8% (from 11 to 2), potentially linked to Easter holidays reducing foot traffic in retail areas. Burglary also dropped by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), though this remains well below the UK average for the category. The town's violence and sexual offences rate of 3.0 per 1,000 (36.2% of total crimes) is 17% above the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a gap that could reflect local social issues or policing focus. Drug-related crimes in Matlock are 250% above the UK average (0.7 vs 0.2 per 1,000), a stark contrast to the 70% below UK average for shoplifting (0.2 vs 0.7 per 1,000). These divergent trends suggest complex dynamics: while retail theft is subdued, illicit drug activity remains a significant concern. Residents may find the 81.8% drop in shoplifting particularly notable, as it could indicate successful policing during the Easter period or a temporary shift in criminal activity.

Matlock's crime rate in April 2024 (8.4 per 1,000) represents a 5.7% increase from the previous month's rate of 8.0 per 1,000, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns in local activity. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in April, a figure that contextualises the volume of incidents against the town's calendar. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 119 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the density of incidents relative to the population. With 11,179 residents, the 94 crimes recorded equate to a rate that is 9.1% above the UK average but remains within the range of comparable towns in Derbyshire. The town's population context is crucial: while the overall rate is elevated, certain categories like burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) are below UK averages, suggesting that property crime is not the primary driver. This contrast with the UK average for drug-related crimes (250% above) underscores the need for targeted interventions. The 5.7% month-on-month increase, though modest, may be linked to the Easter period and spring weather, which often correlate with higher outdoor activity and associated crime risks.