Holywell (Flintshire) Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 marked a slight decline in Holywell's overall crime rate, which stood at 12.4 per 1,000 residents — 53.1% above the UK average of 8.1. This figure reflects a 10.7% reduction compared to July's rate of 13.9, suggesting a modest improvement in public safety. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.1% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (27.8%) and criminal damage and arson (12.0%). These patterns align with August's seasonal dynamics, as the peak holiday period often correlates with increased alcohol-fuelled incidents and transient populations in the area. The high rates of violence and anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average may be linked to Holywell's status as a small built-up area within Flintshire, where limited policing resources and community cohesion challenges could contribute to persistent issues. The rate of violent crime (4.5 per 1,000) was 70% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (3.4 per 1,000) was 136% above. This stark divergence from national trends underscores the need for targeted interventions in local hotspots. The seasonal context of August — a time when tourism and empty homes may increase burglary risks — appears to have had limited impact this month, as burglary remained relatively low at 0.2 per 1,000, 41% below the UK average. However, the rise in criminal damage and arson (13 cases) suggests ongoing challenges with property-related crime, which may be exacerbated by the area's rural-urban interface and transient population movements.

August 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Drug-related offences doubled from zero to one incident, while theft from the person also increased from zero to one — both representing 100% month-on-month rises. These spikes, though small in absolute terms, highlight emerging concerns that may warrant closer monitoring. Conversely, vehicle crime and other crime both fell by 50%, from two to one incident each, suggesting a temporary reduction in opportunistic thefts. The most significant disparity from national trends remains in violent crime, with Holywell's rate of 4.5 per 1,000 being 70% above the UK average of 2.6. This gap is particularly striking given the area's relatively low population density and limited nightlife infrastructure. Anti-social behaviour, at 3.4 per 1,000, was even more pronounced, 136% above the UK average of 1.4. These figures may reflect the impact of seasonal tourism, as transient populations often contribute to short-term spikes in disruptive behaviour. Meanwhile, the area's performance in other categories showed marked contrast: other theft (0.3 per 1,000) was 52% below the UK average, and burglary (0.2 per 1,000) was 41% below. This divergence could be attributed to Holywell's built-up area characteristics, where compact housing layouts may reduce burglary opportunities compared to more dispersed rural settings. Residents concerned about personal safety might find the 52% below-average rate for other thefts reassuring, though the persistent gaps in violent and anti-social crime categories indicate ongoing challenges for local authorities.

The 12.4 per 1,000 crime rate in August 2023 represents a 10.7% decrease from July's 13.9, indicating a slight but measurable improvement in overall safety. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately three crimes reported each day in Holywell, a figure that may seem alarming given the area's small population of 8,711 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 81 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, while lower than the UK average, still highlights the disproportionate impact of certain crime types. This 1-in-81 statistic is particularly significant when compared to national benchmarks, as it illustrates the concentrated nature of crime in Holywell relative to its size. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the absolute number of crimes (108) may appear modest, the rate per capita places the area well above the UK average. This discrepancy is most evident in violent crime, which accounted for 36.1% of all incidents — a share that, when scaled to the local population, creates a stark contrast with national trends. For residents, the daily crime count of three provides a tangible metric to assess local safety, though the composition of those crimes (with violence and anti-social behaviour dominating) suggests that targeted interventions may be more effective than broad-spectrum measures. The comparison to the UK average also underscores the need for context-specific strategies, as Holywell's unique demographic profile — a built-up area within a rural county — may require tailored approaches that differ from those applied in larger urban centres.