March Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The built-up area of March recorded a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in September 2023, 15% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure represents a marked improvement over the previous month, with overall crime levels falling sharply to 145 incidents from 10.1 per 1,000 in August. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.5% of total crimes and remained 16% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 16.6% of incidents, also 18% below the national benchmark. These reductions may be partly attributed to the seasonal transition, as September marks the start of the academic year and the return of students to local universities, which could have led to increased community engagement and policing efforts. However, the category of criminal damage and arson stood out as 67% above the UK average, suggesting a unique local challenge that may be tied to the area’s built-up nature and potential for vandalism in public spaces. The overall crime picture illustrates a balance between sustained low levels of serious violence and pockets of activity that require targeted attention, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or transient populations. The seasonal context of September—characterised by back-to-school activities and the onset of shorter evenings—may have influenced both the types and frequencies of crimes reported.

September 2023 saw notable reductions in several crime categories, with shoplifting decreasing by 53.3% (from 15 to 7 incidents) and vehicle crime dropping by 50% (from 8 to 4). These declines may reflect heightened local enforcement efforts or seasonal changes, such as reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the early autumn. Violent crime, which accounted for 34.5% of total incidents, remained 16% below the UK average at 2.3 per 1,000, suggesting that the area’s built-up nature and possibly its proximity to larger urban centres may contribute to a lower incidence of severe violence. Conversely, public order offences surged by 140% (from 5 to 12), a sharp increase that contrasts with the overall downward trend. This spike may be linked to the return of students to local universities or the start of the academic term. The category of criminal damage and arson, at 1.0 per 1,000, was 67% above the UK average, indicating a localised issue that warrants further attention.

The crime rate in March for September 2023 stood at 6.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 32.9% decline from the previous month’s rate of 10.1 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with broader seasonal trends, as the transition from summer to autumn typically sees fewer outdoor activities and reduced foot traffic in public spaces. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five reported crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the overall safety of the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 148 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to the UK average. When viewed through the lens of population density, the 21,434 residents of March are distributed across a mix of residential and commercial zones, which may influence the distribution of crime types. The decline in violent crime and property offences compared to August suggests that local initiatives or seasonal factors—such as the start of the academic year—may have contributed to this downward trend.