Buxton (High Peak) Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2023, Buxton (High Peak) recorded a crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 42.7% above the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure translates to a 1-in-93 chance of a reported crime occurring for any resident over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 38.4% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.7%) and other theft (11.9%). These rates are particularly striking when compared to national averages: violence and sexual offences in Buxton were 58% higher than the UK average, while anti-social behaviour was 27% above. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter holidays and spring weather—likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may partly explain the prominence of public order offences (11.0%) and other theft. While the area's character as a small market town with a mix of residential and tourist spaces could influence crime patterns, the data suggests that interpersonal conflicts and anti-social behaviour are significant factors. The overall rate, though elevated, remains consistent with Buxton's historical position as a rural area with a moderate level of crime relative to larger urban centres.

April 2023 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories compared to March. Possession of weapons increased by 100%, rising from 0 to 3 incidents—a jump that could reflect heightened tensions during the Easter period. Bicycle theft also doubled from 0 to 1, potentially linked to seasonal tourism or changes in local activity patterns. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by two-thirds (from 12 to 4), due to reduced foot traffic during Easter or increased security measures. Vehicle crime fell by 53.3%, aligning with a general trend observed in other rural areas during spring when outdoor crime may shift to more populated spaces. The violent crime category, which includes sexual offences, remained high compared to the UK average—58% above—highlighting a persistent challenge for local authorities. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than violence, was still 27% above the national average, suggesting ongoing issues with public disorder in communal areas. These shifts illustrate how seasonal rhythms and local demographics can influence crime trends, even in a relatively small built-up area.

Buxton's crime rate in April 2023 (10.7 per 1,000) represented a 9.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 11.9 per 1,000, indicating a short-term moderation in overall crime. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 7 crimes per day, a figure that may feel more tangible to residents than aggregate monthly statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 93 residents—a ratio that, while higher than the UK average, is still relatively low in the context of a rural built-up area. The population of 20,386 means that the impact of these crimes is distributed across a relatively small community, potentially increasing the visibility of individual incidents. This contrasts with larger urban centres where crime rates are often diluted across more densely populated areas. The decrease from March may reflect the natural ebb and flow of seasonal activity, with Easter-related events displacing some crimes to other times of the year. However, the persistence of categories like violence and sexual offences at levels significantly above the UK average underscores the need for targeted interventions in Buxton's specific social and geographical context.