St Ives (Huntingdonshire) Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

St Ives (Huntingdonshire) maintains a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 25% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This built-up area, characterised by its historic town centre and proximity to rural landscapes, exhibits a crime profile that reflects both urban and semi-rural dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, contributing 30.4% of all reported crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (10.8%) and public order offences (10.8%). These figures are consistent with the area’s mix of residential streets, local businesses, and seasonal tourism activity, which may influence patterns of public order and violence. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.7 per 1,000, but St Ives records 1.8 per 1,000, 33% below the national rate. This could be partly explained by the town’s relatively low population density and the absence of large-scale nightlife venues typically associated with higher rates of violent crime. Seasonal factors, such as the clocks going back and darker evenings in October, may have contributed to increased reports of public order offences. The area’s low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) and significantly below-average anti-social behaviour (61% below UK levels) suggest a community with strong local ties and limited exposure to high-risk environments. However, the seasonal context of Halloween and the transition into winter may have influenced reported incidents of criminal damage and arson.

October 2023 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+300%), other crime (+150%), and vehicle crime (+150%) compared to September, reflecting potential shifts in criminal activity linked to seasonal events. Shoplifting, which rose from 1 to 4 incidents, may be influenced by Halloween-related retail activity or changes in local policing priorities. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 35.7% (from 14 to 9 incidents), possibly due to increased community engagement or the impact of local initiatives during the month. The category of 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or lesser-known offences—surged by 150%, highlighting gaps in data categorisation or shifts in reporting patterns. St Ives’ violent crime rate remains 33% below the UK average, despite the 18.7% month-on-month increase in overall crime. This suggests that while the area is experiencing a general uptick in crime, violent incidents remain relatively rare. The town’s vehicle crime rate, though 42% below the UK average, saw a notable 150% increase, linked to changes in parking patterns or the timing of local events. These fluctuations underscore the importance of contextual factors, such as the transition from autumn to winter and the impact of seasonal holidays, in shaping crime trends.

St Ives’ crime rate rose from 5.1 per 1,000 in September to 6.0 per 1,000 in October, an 18.7% increase, though it remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day in October, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 166 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while low by national standards, provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents. When compared to the UK, St Ives’ performance in specific categories is striking: anti-social behaviour is 61% below the national average, and burglary is 41% below, suggesting a community with lower levels of disorder and property crime. However, the area’s drug-related offences are 100% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local challenges in addressing substance misuse or gaps in reporting. The population-scaled perspective reveals that St Ives’ residents face a crime environment that is both safer in key areas and more vulnerable in others. This duality—low rates of violent and property crime but higher rates in specific categories—highlights the need for targeted interventions that align with the town’s unique characteristics, such as its historic town centre and proximity to rural zones. The comparison to the UK also underscores the importance of localised approaches to crime prevention, as national averages may not fully capture the nuances of smaller built-up areas.