Buckley Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 13,967 residents, Buckley's 93 reported crimes in December 2023 translate to a crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000 — 6.9% below the UK average of 7.2. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with the month's Christmas shopping peak, extended dark evenings, and empty homes over the holidays likely contributing to shifts in criminal activity. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 49.5% of all incidents (46 cases), significantly exceeding the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 19.4% (18 cases), while public order offences and shoplifting each contributed 6.5% (6 cases). The seasonal context of December — a time of increased retail activity and social gatherings — may help explain the dominance of violent crime. Property crimes such as burglary and criminal damage were recorded at rates below the UK average, suggesting that local factors may be mitigating certain types of criminal activity. The breakdown also reveals that possession of weapons, at 0.2 per 1,000 residents, was 233% above the UK average, indicating a particular challenge in this category. While the overall crime rate remains relatively low compared to national benchmarks, the sharp increase in violent crime and weapons-related offences warrants careful monitoring, particularly in light of the month's unique social and environmental conditions.

December 2023 saw a sharp 200% increase in shoplifting, with six incidents reported compared to two in November. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in both burglary and possession of weapons, points to a notable shift in criminal activity patterns. While anti-social behaviour fell by 30.8% and drug-related crimes dropped by two-thirds, the rise in violent offences — which are 26% above the UK average — underscores a concerning trend. The breakdown reveals that violence and sexual offences, now at 3.3 per 1,000 residents, dominate the crime profile, significantly outpacing the national average for this category. Meanwhile, public order offences and shoplifting both recorded rates below UK averages, suggesting that certain aspects of local policing or community dynamics may be more effective in curbing these types of crime. For residents, the 100% increase in burglary is a particularly salient statistic, as it indicates a doubling of this crime type within a single month.

Buckley's crime rate in December 2023 rose by 9.4% compared to November, reflecting a shift in the local crime profile. With 93 crimes reported over 31 days, the area experienced an average of three crimes per day — a figure that translates to one reported incident for every 150 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to the area's population. The increase in violence and sexual offences, which now account for nearly half of all crimes, contrasts with declines in drug-related incidents and anti-social behaviour, suggesting a realignment in the types of crime dominating the area. While the daily crime count may seem high for some, Buckley's built-up area status and relatively small population size mean that local conditions — such as holiday foot traffic and seasonal social dynamics — play a distinct role in shaping these statistics.