Broughton Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Broughton (Flintshire) for February 2024 reveals a distinct pattern shaped by local retail dynamics and seasonal factors. Property crimes, particularly shoplifting, accounted for 44% of all recorded incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category. This concentration of non-violent property offences suggests a built-up area with retail activity that may attract opportunistic theft. Violent crimes, at 24% of the total, were lower than the UK average (which stands at 2.5 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences), consistent with the area's likely character as a small, low-density settlement with limited nightlife or high-risk public spaces. Other theft (16% of total crimes) and shoplifting formed the core of the property crime mix, reflecting patterns seen in smaller towns where retail premises are concentrated in limited areas. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely contributed to the overall lower crime rate compared to the UK average. While shoplifting rates were exceptionally high (1.7 per 1,000, 215% above UK averages), this may be partially explained by the presence of retail outlets in Broughton that are more accessible to transient populations or experience higher foot traffic during off-peak seasons. The balance of crime types here illustrates a community where property crime, particularly in retail contexts, dominates the local crime picture, with violent crime remaining well below national averages. This mix is consistent with a small built-up area where economic activity is centred on local commerce rather than large-scale industry or tourism.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in Broughton's crime mix, with vehicle crime and possession of weapons both rising by 100% compared to January. This increase in vehicle crime—from zero to one incident—may reflect seasonal changes in car usage or temporary disruptions in local security measures. The spike in possession of weapons (1 incident, 186% above the UK average) raises questions about local factors, though the single data point does not yet indicate a broader trend. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell sharply by 83.3% (from six to one incident), likely due to reduced outdoor activity during winter. Violence and sexual offences also dropped by 62.5% (from 16 to six incidents), aligning with the seasonal lull in social interactions typical of February. Other theft decreased by 33.3% (from six to four incidents), possibly linked to the same seasonal factors. Shoplifting remained the most prevalent crime (11 incidents, 44% of total), far exceeding the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) and highlighting a persistent challenge for local retailers. This imbalance in crime types—where property crime dominates but violent crime remains low—suggests a community where retail security is a key focus, but broader public safety concerns are less pressing compared to the UK average. Residents may find the sharp drop in anti-social behaviour during February particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a potential correlation between seasonal patterns and local crime dynamics.

Broughton's crime rate in February 2024 (3.8 per 1,000) marked a 47.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.3 per 1,000, reflecting a significant downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded one crime per day over the 29-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 264 residents. This places Broughton well below the UK average for overall crime rates (7.1 per 1,000) and highlights the area's relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Broughton is considerably lower than the UK average, with the 46.5% deficit in crime rates underscoring the effectiveness of local policing or community factors in crime prevention. While the daily crime count provides a tangible measure for residents (one incident per day), the monthly exposure figure offers a broader context: over the course of the month, each resident had a 1-in-264 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime. This low probability is consistent with Broughton's character as a small built-up area within Flintshire, where community cohesion and limited urban density may contribute to lower crime rates. The comparison to the previous month also illustrates the volatility of crime patterns in smaller areas, where even a single incident can shift monthly statistics significantly. These figures, while modest, offer reassurance to residents that Broughton remains a relatively secure place to live compared to both the UK average and its own historical trends.