Doncaster Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2023, Doncaster's overall crime rate stood at 11.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 49.3% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure highlights a stark contrast to national trends, with the local area recording a crime profile shaped by a near-equal split between property and violent crime. Violence and sexual offences (1293 cases) accounted for 36% of total crimes, while property crimes (1370 cases) followed closely at 38%, illustrating a unique balance that diverges from the UK pattern, where violent crime typically dominates. Seasonal factors may have influenced this dynamic: the month coincided with Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and the onset of darker evenings, all of which could have contributed to increased activity in both retail and public spaces. Anti-social behaviour (449 cases) and criminal damage (360 cases) further underscored the prominence of disorder-related incidents, which were 33% and 86% above UK averages respectively. This suggests that community tensions and environmental factors may play a role in sustaining elevated crime levels. The data also reveals a significant spike in shoplifting (311 cases) compared to the UK average, linked to the Black Friday retail rush. While the overall rate is higher than the national average, the breakdown shows a combination of economic pressures, seasonal activity, and local policing challenges that warrant further analysis.

November 2023 saw a 32.4% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 68 to 90 incidents—a sharp upward trend that outpaces the UK average by 50%. This surge may reflect broader patterns of substance misuse or increased enforcement activity in certain areas. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 50% (26 to 13), possibly due to heightened awareness around festive shopping or improved security measures. The balance between violent and property crime remained strikingly even, with 1293 violent incidents and 1370 property crimes reported—marking a departure from the UK trend, where violent crime typically constitutes a larger share. This parity may be influenced by Doncaster's urban character, where retail hubs and public spaces create overlapping risk environments. Shoplifting decreased by 21.5% (396 to 311), linked to post-Black Friday seasonal lulls, though the rate still remains 82% above the UK average. Public order offences also fell by 22.5%, from 302 to 234, suggesting a temporary reduction in disorderly conduct during the month. These fluctuations highlight the volatility of crime patterns in response to local events and seasonal rhythms, even as broader categories like anti-social behaviour and criminal damage remain high compared to national benchmarks.

November's crime rate of 11.2 per 1,000 represented a 9.2% decrease from October's 12.4 per 1,000, indicating a modest but measurable decline over the month. This reduction, however, still leaves Doncaster significantly above the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 120 crimes per day in November, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 89 residents over the course of the month. When contextualised against Doncaster's population of 319,765, this monthly exposure rate underscores the scale of crime in a densely populated urban environment. The previous month's rate was higher, suggesting that the decline may have been influenced by factors such as reduced foot traffic during late November or the waning impact of seasonal events. While the overall rate remains elevated, the 9.2% drop from October indicates a potential stabilisation in crime trends, albeit one that still leaves the area far above national levels. This comparison highlights both the progress made in recent weeks and the persistent challenges in reducing crime to UK averages, particularly in categories like violence and anti-social behaviour that continue to outpace national figures by significant margins.