Buxton Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Buxton (High Peak) recorded a crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 31.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure highlights a persistent challenge for the built-up area within a largely rural district, where crime rates consistently exceed national trends. The most prevalent category was Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.4% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 4.2 per 1,000—56% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed at 13.6%, and Public order offences at 8.9%, both significantly above national benchmarks. These patterns align with the seasonal context of October, a month marked by darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and the proximity of Halloween, which may have contributed to increased social activity and associated incidents. The town’s crime profile reflects the interplay of its character as a small urban centre within a rural setting, where factors such as limited policing resources, transient populations, and seasonal events may amplify local crime trends. The rate of Violence and sexual offences remains high compared to other areas, a trend that may be influenced by the area’s demographics and the dynamics of its community. While property crimes such as Burglary and Vehicle crime saw modest declines, the overall crime rate remains elevated, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of these disparities. The seasonal context of October—particularly the impact of reduced daylight and increased social gatherings—may also have played a role in shaping the crime profile, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences likely influenced by the timing of local events and the movement of residents.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in Other crime and Robbery, both surging by 200% as they rose from one to three incidents each. This spike, coupled with an 83.3% increase in Drugs-related crimes, points to a notable uptick in non-violent but potentially disruptive offences. Conversely, Burglary and Theft from the person both declined sharply—Burglary fell 62.5% from 16 to 6 incidents, while Theft from the person dropped 50% from four to two. These contrasting trends suggest a possible reallocation of criminal activity, with property crimes decreasing but other categories, such as drug offences, rising sharply. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 40.4% of all crimes, and 56% above the UK average. This stark divergence from national norms may reflect local factors, such as the impact of seasonal events like Halloween, which coincided with darker evenings and increased social activity in the town. For residents, the 200% increase in Other crime—a category encompassing a range of non-specific incidents—could signal the need for heightened awareness of emerging local risks.

Buxton's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 10.5 per 1,000 residents, a 4.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 10.9 per 1,000. This slight decline suggests a possible stabilization in local crime trends. above the UK average. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately seven crimes per day, a figure that reflects the density of reported incidents in a built-up area within a largely rural district. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 96 residents, a statistic that underscores the relative frequency of incidents in a community of 20,386 people. While the monthly rate has dipped slightly, the overall trajectory remains concerning compared to national benchmarks, particularly in categories like violence and sexual offences, which are 56% above the UK average. This contrast highlights the unique challenges faced by Buxton, where local factors—such as seasonal events and community dynamics—may amplify crime trends beyond national patterns.