Flintshire Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Flintshire's overall crime rate in May 2024 stood at 7.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 9.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. While this places the area among the safer local authority districts in the UK, the breakdown of crime types reveals concerning trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40.2% of all reported crimes, with 477 incidents recorded—3.1 per 1,000 residents. This rate is 9% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a disproportionate concentration of violent crime in certain areas. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 23.7% of total crimes (281 incidents), with a 24% gap above the UK average. These figures may partly explain the 8.3% month-on-month increase in the overall crime rate, which rose from 7.0 per 1,000 in April to 7.6 per 1,000 in May. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as May in Flintshire brings longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, particularly around bank holidays. This context may contribute to the spike in violent and anti-social incidents, though local geography and community dynamics remain critical factors. Property crimes accounted for only 25.5% of the total (303 incidents), with burglary and vehicle crime rates significantly below UK averages. This divergence highlights a distinct crime profile in Flintshire compared to other regions, where property crime often dominates. The area's relatively low burglary rate—0.2 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 0.3 per 1,000—suggests effective community policing or environmental measures in residential areas. However, the sharp rise in violence and anti-social behaviour demands closer attention from local authorities, as these categories directly impact public safety and quality of life. The seasonal context of May, with its mix of public events and extended daylight hours, may exacerbate tensions in high-traffic areas, requiring targeted interventions.

May 2024 saw significant increases in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 50% (from 6 to 9 incidents) and other theft climbing 39.3% (from 61 to 85). These jumps, though modest in absolute terms, reflect concerning shifts in crime patterns. The rise in weapon-related incidents may indicate a growing issue with illicit weapons in the area. Meanwhile, burglary increased by 23.1% (26 to 32), a trend that contrasts with the overall reduction in property crime. This anomaly could signal targeted activity in specific locations, such as poorly secured commercial properties or areas with transient populations. Conversely, several categories saw notable declines: robbery fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), bicycle theft dropped 33.3% (from 6 to 4), and drug-related crimes decreased by 28.6% (from 14 to 10). The drop in robbery may reflect successful policing efforts or a reduction in high-risk situations, though the small sample size limits definitive conclusions. Flintshire's performance against UK averages also reveals stark contrasts. Violence and sexual offences remain 9% above the national benchmark, while anti-social behaviour is 24% higher. These disparities suggest that Flintshire's social fabric may be more vulnerable to certain types of crime, linked to local demographics or economic conditions. In contrast, vehicle crime is 79% below the UK average (0.1 vs 0.5 per 1,000), and theft from the person is 100% lower (0.0 vs 0.2 per 1,000). This suggests that Flintshire's infrastructure and community awareness may be effective in reducing vehicle-related crime, though the reasons for the near-absence of theft from the person remain unexplored. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas experiencing spikes in violent crime, as the 477 reported incidents of violence and sexual offences represent a substantial proportion of the total crime burden.

Flintshire's crime rate in May 2024 rose by 8.3% compared to April's 7.0 per 1,000, marking the first upward movement in the year. This increase, while modest, translates to approximately 38 crimes reported daily—a local figure that provides context for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 131 residents, a monthly aggregate that underscores the scale of criminal activity relative to population size. When compared to the UK average, Flintshire's overall rate remains 9.5% lower (7.6 vs 8.4 per 1,000), indicating that the area continues to perform better than the national benchmark in terms of crime prevention. However, this advantage is not evenly distributed across crime types. For instance, violence and sexual offences are 9% above the UK average, a gap that may reflect local socio-economic conditions or community dynamics. The daily crime count, while useful for understanding frequency, does not capture the full picture. It should be interpreted alongside the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-131 residents, which highlights the cumulative impact of crime on the population. This figure is particularly relevant for local authorities and community groups seeking to allocate resources effectively. The previous month's rate of 7.0 per 1,000 suggests a potential seasonal factor influencing the increase, as May's longer evenings and bank holidays may have contributed to higher incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence. Residents should consider this context when assessing personal risk, though the exact relationship between these factors and crime trends requires further analysis. The comparison with the UK average also reveals that Flintshire's success in reducing vehicle crime and theft from the person is notable, suggesting that targeted initiatives in these areas may have yielded positive outcomes.