Liss Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected shift in September 2023 was the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson, a category that had previously accounted for just 15.4% of total crimes but rose sharply to 4 cases. This jump contrasts with the overall trend of Liss maintaining a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 — 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, making up 46.2% of all incidents, a figure 31% below the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of September, marked by the return to school and university freshers, may partly explain the spike in property-related crimes and public order issues, though the area’s rural character and low population density likely contribute to its consistently lower crime rates compared to urban counterparts. While violent crime remained a focus, the breakdown shows a notable shift from vehicle crime (which fell by 85.7%) to other theft and non-violent offences, possibly linked to seasonal changes in activity patterns. The area’s limited retail presence and lack of major transport hubs may help explain the absence of shoplifting or vehicle-related crimes typically associated with high-traffic zones.

September 2023 saw three significant month-on-month changes. Criminal damage and arson surged by 100%, rising from 2 to 4 incidents — a stark deviation from the previous month’s figures. This increase was accompanied by a 100% rise in other theft and other crime categories, which had previously been absent. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 85.7%, dropping from 7 to 1, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns as local roads saw reduced traffic during the early autumn. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common crime type, remained 31% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour fell by 83.3%, from 6 to 1 incident, a drop that aligns with the return of school terms and reduced public gatherings. The only category exceeding the UK average was 'other crime', which was 43% higher than the national rate of 0.1 per 1,000. This anomaly suggests a need for further localised analysis, though the small number of incidents means the figure may not reflect a broader trend. Residents might find the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson particularly noteworthy, as it highlights a sudden vulnerability in the area’s property security.

The crime rate in September 2023 fell by 31.6% compared to the previous month’s rate of 6.0 per 1,000, bringing Liss to its lowest monthly rate in recent records. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 30-day period — a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of criminal activity in a small community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 243 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. With a population of 6,324, Liss’s crime statistics place it in stark contrast to larger urban centres, where higher population densities and economic disparities often drive crime rates upward. The drop in vehicle crime, combined with the absence of major transport hubs, suggests that the area’s low vehicle-related offences are unlikely to be a recurring issue. However, the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson raises questions about the effectiveness of local property security measures, particularly in the context of seasonal events that may draw transient populations to the area.