Holywell (Flintshire) Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Holywell's crime rate in September 2023 stood at 11.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 42.5% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure highlights a marked divergence from the national trend, particularly in violent and anti-social crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.4% of all reported crimes, significantly exceeding the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 (64% above). Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 21.2%, with the UK rate at 1.3 per 1,000. These patterns suggest a combination of local factors, possibly influenced by the area's character as a built-up area within Flintshire, where community dynamics and seasonal transitions may play a role. September, with its back-to-school period and university freshers' week, may have contributed to increased social interactions and associated tensions. Public order offences, at 11.1 per 1,000, also showed a sharp rise compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. While property crimes represented a smaller share of the total (22 cases, or 22.2% of all crimes), the dominance of violent and anti-social offences underscores a distinct local profile. The seasonal context of September—transitioning from summer to autumn, with evenings drawing in—may have influenced the timing and nature of incidents. The data reflects a community grappling with persistent challenges in managing interpersonal conflicts and public disorder, areas that may require targeted interventions.

September 2023 saw a 300% surge in drug-related crimes, jumping from one to four incidents—a stark increase that could signal shifting patterns in local drug activity. This spike occurred alongside an 83.3% rise in public order offences, with reported cases climbing from six to 11. These increases may be linked to the influx of students returning to university campuses and the associated social dynamics during freshers' week. Conversely, anti-social behaviour incidents fell by 30%, dropping from 30 to 21, suggesting a potential reduction in community disturbances. Shoplifting also decreased by 20%, from 10 to eight cases, though this remains below the UK average. The rate of other theft—such as burglary and vehicle crime—was 50% below the UK average, indicating a relative strength in property crime prevention. The most alarming figure, however, was the 150% increase in drug-related crimes compared to the UK average, which stood at 0.2 per 1,000. This discrepancy highlights a critical area for local authorities to address, given the potential long-term implications for public safety and community well-being. The data also reveals a 67% rise in criminal damage and arson. monthly decline, suggesting a combination of factors influencing this crime type.

Compared to August 2023, Holywell's crime rate fell by 8.4% to 11.4 per 1,000 from 12.4 per 1,000, marking a slight but notable improvement. This decline, however, does not fully mitigate the area's elevated position relative to the UK average. On a daily basis, Holywell experienced an average of three crimes per day in September—a figure that, while seemingly low, translates to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 88 residents. For a community of 8,711 people, this means that over the course of the month, each resident had a 1-in-88 chance of being directly affected by crime. This statistic, while abstract, underscores the tangible impact of crime on daily life. The population context further illustrates the disparity: Holywell's violent crime rate (4.5 per 1,000) is 64% above the UK average, a figure that would equate to approximately 40 additional violent incidents annually compared to a similarly sized UK town. This comparison highlights the need for sustained efforts in addressing the root causes of violence and anti-social behaviour. While the overall rate has dipped slightly from August, the persistent gap between Holywell and the UK average suggests that local conditions—whether socioeconomic, demographic, or environmental—continue to shape the area's unique crime profile.