Buxton (High Peak) Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Buxton (High Peak) recorded a crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents in February 2024, placing it 18.3% above the UK average of 7.1. This marks a notable divergence from the national trend, reflecting local dynamics that require careful analysis. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (36.8% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.5%) and public order offences (11.1%). These figures suggest a combination of community interactions and public safety challenges. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain patterns in certain categories. For instance, the relatively high rate of public order offences could be linked to reduced outdoor engagement, increasing tensions in confined spaces. Conversely, the lower-than-UK-average rate for shoplifting (26% below) might indicate effective retail security measures in the area. The town’s character as a rural commuter hub with seasonal tourism activity may also influence crime trends, though further data would be needed to confirm this. Overall, the data underscores the importance of contextualising crime statistics within local geography and demographics rather than relying solely on national averages.

February 2024 saw significant reductions in vehicle crime (-70%) and drug-related offences (-42.9%), both of which may reflect seasonal factors or targeted interventions. Vehicle crime, typically associated with commuter parking in urban areas, dropped sharply from 10 to 3 incidents, a decrease that could align with the pre-spring lull in travel activity. Similarly, the 42.9% drop in drug-related offences may indicate reduced demand during the winter months. However, other categories showed concerning increases: robbery rose by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident), and other theft increased by 18.8% (16 to 19 incidents). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, highlight vulnerabilities in personal safety and property protection. Violence and sexual offences remained high compared to the UK average, being 24% above the national rate. This could be attributed to Buxton’s status as a tourist destination, where transient populations may contribute to higher rates of such crimes. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 7.1%, though this remained well above the UK average (43% above). These trends suggest that while some areas of crime management are improving, others require urgent attention.

February 2024 marked a 21.5% decrease in Buxton’s crime rate compared to January 2024, when the rate stood at 10.7 per 1,000 residents. This downward shift contrasts with the overall 18.3% above the UK average, illustrating the area’s unique crime profile. On a daily basis, 6 crimes were reported over the 29-day period, equating to roughly one crime for every 119 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it should be contextualised within Buxton’s population of 20,386. The reduction in crime compared to the previous month may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the conclusion of festive events or reduced foot traffic during winter. However, the persistent gap between Buxton’s rates and the UK average suggests underlying structural factors—such as the town’s mix of rural and commuter demographics—that require deeper analysis. For instance, the UK average for vehicle crime is 0.4 per 1,000, while Buxton’s rate fell to 0.2 per 1,000 in February, a 55% reduction that may reflect effective traffic management or reduced commuter activity during the month.