Buxton Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Buxton (High Peak) recorded a crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents in August 2023, placing it 14.8% above the UK average of 8.1. This divergence from the national picture is notable, as the area’s crime profile is shaped by factors unique to its character as a historic market town with significant tourism infrastructure. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.4% of all reported crimes, a stark contrast to the UK average where such incidents make up 36% of the national total. Public order offences, at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, were 100% above the UK average, likely influenced by the influx of visitors during the summer holidays. Anti-social behaviour, however, fell below the UK rate by 17%, possibly reflecting local efforts to address noise complaints or disorder in residential areas. Seasonal factors appear to play a critical role: the peak holiday period in August may have contributed to both increased public order incidents and a rise in burglary risks due to empty homes. These dynamics are consistent with Buxton’s status as a tourist destination, where seasonal fluctuations in population and activity patterns drive distinct crime trends. The town’s crime mix also highlights a reliance on property-related offences, with shoplifting and other thefts contributing 27.4% of all crimes, though these rates remain below the UK average in some categories. This combination of local conditions and national trends underscores the need for tailored policing strategies that account for Buxton’s unique demographic and geographic context.

August 2023 saw a 66.7% increase in public order offences, rising from 15 to 25 incidents—a sharp spike that may reflect heightened activity in Buxton’s popular tourist areas during the summer holidays. Vehicle crime also rose by 100%, with six incidents reported compared to three in July, potentially linked to increased traffic or unsecured vehicles in residential zones. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 36.8%, declining from 38 to 24 incidents, due to targeted enforcement or seasonal shifts in community behaviour. Violence and sexual offences remained high, at 3.6 per 1,000 residents—36% above the UK average—and accounted for nearly 40% of all crimes. This concentration of violent crime contrasts with the UK’s broader trend, where property crimes often dominate. Meanwhile, drug-related incidents plummeted by 85.7%, from 14 to 2, a drop that could indicate successful local interventions or temporary disruptions in supply chains. These fluctuations highlight the need for continuous monitoring of crime patterns in a town where tourism and seasonal rhythms play a significant role.

Buxton’s August 2023 crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents places it 14.8% above the UK average, a gap that persists despite an 11.2% drop from the previous month’s rate of 10.5. This suggests sustained pressure on local policing despite recent reductions. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six crimes per day in August, a figure that, while locally specific, offers context for residents navigating their daily routines. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 107 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents in a community of 20,386. This rate, while not alarmingly high, highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas where crime is concentrated. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Buxton’s crime profile is not uniformly distributed, with certain categories—such as violence and public order—driving the overall rate above the national benchmark. This contrast with the UK average, where violent crime rates are lower, may reflect local factors like seasonal tourism or the town’s unique social dynamics.