Charmouth’s low population directly influences its crime statistics, resulting in a significantly lower crime rate than the UK average. With a population of just 1709 residents, Charmouth in Dorset boasts a crime rate of 31.0 incidents per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK national average, which stands at 91.6 incidents per 1,000 people.
It's important to understand that a smaller population inherently reduces the opportunities for certain types of crime. Crimes often occur due to interactions between individuals, and a smaller population naturally limits the number of interactions taking place. While this doesn't eliminate crime entirely – crimes of passion, opportunistic theft, or incidents involving external factors can still occur – the overall frequency is demonstrably reduced.
Beyond the sheer number of residents, Charmouth’s close-knit community likely plays a role. Smaller communities often foster a greater sense of social cohesion and informal surveillance, where neighbours are more likely to look out for each other and report suspicious activity. This contributes to a feeling of safety and deters potential offenders.
The impact of the low population is reflected in Charmouth's excellent safety score. Charmouth scores an impressive 92 out of 100 on the safety scale, significantly above the UK average of 79. This high safety score is a direct consequence of the low crime rate and likely benefits from a strong community spirit.
It's worth noting that crime statistics are complex and can be influenced by various factors beyond population size, such as reporting rates and policing strategies. However, the data clearly demonstrates a strong correlation between Charmouth’s population size and its remarkably low crime rate, contributing to its position as a relatively safe place to live.