Matlock Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Matlock's December 2024 crime profile reveals a stark outlier in the form of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.1% of all reported crimes—a rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents, 17% above the UK average. This category's dominance, coupled with a 146% surge in shoplifting (16 incidents, or 1.4 per 1,000), illustrates heightened activity during the festive season. The overall crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000, 12.7% above the UK's 7.1, underscores a departure from the area's usual patterns. Seasonal factors likely play a role: December's dark evenings, empty homes during the holidays, and the peak of Christmas shopping may have created conditions conducive to both retail crime and interpersonal incidents. Anti-social behaviour (1.3 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.7 per 1,000) also exceeded UK averages by 38% and 32%, respectively, suggesting a broader trend of increased disorder. While property crimes (32) and violent crimes (33) were evenly split, the latter's elevated rate compared to the UK's 2.6 per 1,000 highlights a local vulnerability. The area's built-up nature within the Derbyshire Dales—where urban amenities meet rural surroundings—may contribute to this dynamic, with high streets and nightlife areas driving shoplifting and public order offences. However, the sharp decline in burglary (down 75%) and vehicle crime (1 incident, 75% below the UK average) points to seasonal mitigation factors, such as reduced foot traffic and home occupancy. These data suggest that while Matlock's crime rate is above the national average, the patterns are closely tied to December's unique social and environmental context.

December 2024 saw a dramatic 100% increase in shoplifting, with 16 incidents reported—double the previous month's total. This spike, which is 146% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, aligns with the pre-Christmas retail rush and the area's high street presence. Concurrently, other crime and vehicle crime both rose by 100%, though these remain low in absolute terms. Conversely, burglary fell by 75% to one incident, likely reflecting reduced occupancy in homes over the holidays. The violence and sexual offences category, at 3.0 per 1,000 (17% above the UK average), remained the most prevalent crime type, a pattern consistent with the seasonal increase in social gatherings. Anti-social behaviour rose by 38% compared to the UK average, suggesting a correlation with the festive period's crowded public spaces and extended evening hours.

Matlock's crime rate in December 2024 rose sharply to 8.0 per 1,000 residents, a 43.4% increase from November's 5.6 per 1,000. This jump places the area 12.7% above the UK average, highlighting a marked departure from recent trends. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of three reported crimes each day, a figure that, while modest, reflects a concentrated spike in activity over the festive period. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for every 126 residents—a ratio that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance during December's heightened activity. The population context is critical: with 11,179 residents, the absolute number of crimes (89) may seem low, but the proportional increase compared to the previous month signals a shift in local dynamics. This contrast with the UK average, particularly in violent crime and shoplifting, suggests localized factors—such as seasonal demand or targeted activity—may be influencing the data.