St Ives Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 saw St Ives (Huntingdonshire) record a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 24.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marked a continued trend of lower-than-average crime levels in the area, though the profile of offences shifted unexpectedly. Violence and sexual offences were the most common category, accounting for 35.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.5%) and other theft (12.6%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for the same categories, where violence and sexual offences averaged 2.6 per 1,000 (17% below St Ives) and anti-social behaviour averaged 1.4 per 1,000 (24% below). The data suggests a combination of local demographics and environmental factors. As a built-up area within Huntingdonshire, St Ives likely experiences crime patterns influenced by its mix of residential and commercial spaces. However, the sharp drop in shoplifting (from 7 to 3 cases) and the surge in bicycle theft (from 1 to 2 cases) indicate potential shifts in offender behaviour or policing effectiveness. August, a peak holiday month, may have influenced crime dynamics, with increased tourism potentially impacting both property crime and public order offences. The relatively low crime rate compared to the UK average could reflect effective local policing or the area’s smaller, more cohesive community structure, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this. The seasonal context also raises questions about how temporary population influxes affect crime patterns, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or unoccupied properties during August.

August 2023 saw a striking 100% increase in bicycle theft, with cases rising from 1 to 2. This surge, though small in absolute terms, contrasts with the 57.1% drop in shoplifting, which fell from 7 to 3 cases. The shift in crime mix highlights a notable divergence from typical patterns: while property crimes (35 total) remained lower than violent crimes (37 total), the proportion of violent offences was unusually high, accounting for 35.9% of all reported crimes. This aligns with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.6 per 1,000), though St Ives’ rate (2.2 per 1,000) was 17% below the national figure. Meanwhile, other theft (13 cases) exceeded the UK average by 27%, suggesting potential gaps in local security measures for unattended property. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average (24% below), accounted for 17.5% of all crimes, a proportion that may reflect the area’s social dynamics. Residents may find the 100% increase in bicycle theft particularly noteworthy, as it signals a targeted shift in criminal activity. The decline in shoplifting could be linked to increased police patrols or seasonal changes in retail activity from the data.

St Ives’ crime rate for August 2023 (6.1 per 1,000 residents) was 2.7% lower than the previous month’s rate of 6.3 per 1,000, indicating a modest but consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 3 crimes per day across 31 days, a figure that may be more meaningful to residents than aggregated monthly totals. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 164 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places St Ives well below the UK average in terms of frequency. This lower exposure rate, combined with the area’s population of 16,924, suggests that the community may benefit from a combination of effective policing, lower population density, or socioeconomic factors that reduce crime opportunities. The comparison to the UK average underscores the area’s relatively safe profile. deficit must be contextualised: St Ives is a small built-up area, and UK averages often include larger urban centres with higher crime rates. The 1-in-164 monthly exposure figure, while low, should be interpreted as a snapshot of August’s conditions, which may not reflect long-term trends. Residents may also note that the daily crime count (3 per day) is significantly lower than the UK average daily rate, which is typically higher in more densely populated regions. These figures collectively illustrate an area where crime remains a minor concern compared to national benchmarks, though localized factors such as tourism and seasonal activity will continue to shape monthly variations.