Horncastle Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

May 2025 marked a notable shift in Horncastle's crime profile, with a total of 49 crimes reported across the built-up area. The overall crime rate of 8.8 per 1,000 residents placed the area 8.6% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.9% of all incidents (21 cases), significantly above the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 34.7% of reported crimes (17 cases), a rate 111% higher than the UK average. These figures suggest a persistent challenge with disorderly conduct in the area, possibly linked to Horncastle's small-town dynamics and the social interactions that occur in its public spaces. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as May's longer evenings and bank holidays may have increased opportunities for public order offences and anti-social behaviour. The relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.5 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.4 per 1,000), both below UK averages, indicate that some crime categories remain comparatively controlled. However, the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences raises questions about local factors that may have contributed to this trend. The overall picture illustrates a mix of challenges and relative strengths in Horncastle's crime profile, with the need for targeted interventions in areas where rates are high.

The most striking month-on-month change in May 2025 was the 200% increase in shoplifting, rising from one incident to three. This surge, though still below the UK average (0.7 per 1,000), highlights a sharp shift in property crime trends. Violence and sexual offences also rose sharply by 61.5%, contributing to a 34% increase above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, saw an 111% gap above the UK average (1.4 per 1,000), despite a modest decrease in public order offences. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, aligning with the UK average (0.6 per 1,000) for the first time this year. These shifts suggest a combination of local factors and broader trends. A resident might find the 200% rise in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it could indicate increased retail activity or targeted criminal behaviour during May's extended evenings.

Horncastle's crime rate in May 2025 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 14.0% increase from April's 7.7 per 1,000. This places the area 8.6% above the UK average, a gap that has widened over recent months. On a daily basis, the local figure shows approximately two crimes reported each day in May, a rate that, while modest, reflects the area's built-up character and limited population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 114 residents, a metric that contextualises the monthly exposure for Horncastle's 5,590 residents. This figure is particularly meaningful for local residents, as it illustrates the frequency of incidents in relation to the population size. The increase from April is notable given the area's typically lower crime profile, though seasonal factors such as longer evenings and bank holidays may have contributed to the uptick in activity.