Broughton Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2023, Broughton (Flintshire) recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.8% below the UK average of 8.0. This marked contrast with national trends highlights a distinct local profile, where property crimes overwhelmingly dominate the crime mix. Of the 40 total crimes, 29 (72.5%) were property-related, with shoplifting alone accounting for 32.5% of all incidents. This stark imbalance between property and violent crime suggests a landscape where theft and disorder offences are more prevalent than personal safety threats. The low rate of violent crimes—only one reported in the month—raises questions about local factors such as community cohesion, policing presence, or the area’s socio-economic makeup. Seasonal dynamics in May, including longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising during bank holidays, may have influenced the rise in property crimes. The prevalence of shoplifting, which exceeds the UK average by 308%, could be linked to Broughton’s retail presence or transient foot traffic patterns. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (17.5% of crimes) and other theft (22.5%) also feature prominently, reflecting challenges in managing public spaces and preventing petty theft. These figures illustrate a small built-up area where property-focused crime prevention strategies may be more critical than those addressing violence. The overall rate, while lower than the UK average, still necessitates vigilance, particularly given the sharp rise in shoplifting and other theft compared to national benchmarks.

May 2023 saw significant shifts in Broughton’s crime profile, with property crimes continuing to dominate. Other theft surged by 350% (from 2 to 9 incidents), a dramatic increase that may reflect heightened opportunism during the spring season. Burglary and vehicle crime both doubled from zero to one incident each, suggesting a potential uptick in targeted property crimes. Conversely, violent crime plummeted by 88.9% (from 9 to 1), a drop so steep it places Broughton’s rate at 0.2 per 1,000—93% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. This stark reduction in violence contrasts with the UK-wide average, though it could be influenced by factors such as reduced alcohol-fuelled incidents during bank holidays or improved community policing efforts. Shoplifting remains a persistent issue, with its rate (2.0 per 1,000) 308% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, a figure that may indicate vulnerabilities in retail security or a higher volume of foot traffic. Anti-social behaviour, while down 30% from 10 to 7, still exceeds the UK average by 17%, suggesting ongoing challenges in managing public order. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted interventions, particularly in addressing shoplifting and other theft, which now account for over half of all crimes in the area.

Broughton’s crime rate in May 2023 rose by 8.2% compared to April’s 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a modest but notable increase. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that, while low, highlights the potential for rapid spikes in specific categories like other theft. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 165 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to Broughton’s population of 6,602. This suggests that, despite the 8.2% increase, the overall risk to residents remains comparatively low. The population context is critical: with 6,602 residents, even a small number of crimes can have a visible impact on local communities. For instance, the 350% increase in other theft alone—adding seven additional incidents—could affect vulnerable households or businesses. However, the area’s overall safety profile, as evidenced by its 23.8% deficit to the UK average, indicates that Broughton’s residents face a crime environment that is markedly less hazardous than the national average. This contrast may be attributed to factors such as the area’s size, demographics, or the effectiveness of local crime prevention measures, though further analysis would be needed to confirm these hypotheses.