Gomersal and Birkenshaw Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

October 2024 marked a continuation of Gomersal and Birkenshaw’s historically lower crime rates, with an overall figure of 5.1 crimes per 1,000 residents—37% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This position, while encouraging, was not without variation in specific crime types. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 37% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (21%) and public order offences (12%). The seasonal context of October—darker evenings and the approach of Halloween—likely influenced patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 325% month-on-month, possibly linked to increased community gatherings or heightened tensions in public spaces. Conversely, shoplifting fell sharply by 84.6%, a decline that may reflect reduced retail activity during the month or improved surveillance in local stores. The area’s violent crime rate, at 1.9 per 1,000 residents, remains significantly below the UK average, a trend consistent with the area’s character as a built-up zone within Kirklees, where community-focused policing and lower population density may contribute to a safer environment. However, the 25% rise in public order offences, though modest, could indicate challenges in managing seasonal events or addressing underlying social issues. These data points, when viewed through the lens of local geography and demographics, suggest a combination of factors shaping the area’s crime profile, with both opportunities for further improvement and areas requiring targeted attention.

October saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with anti-social behaviour surging by 325% (from four to 17 incidents) and burglary rising by 200% (from one to three). These spikes, though concerning, were offset by notable declines in shoplifting (-84.6%) and other crime (-60%), which may reflect seasonal shifts such as Halloween influencing criminal activity patterns. The area’s violent crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents—29% below the UK average—suggests a lower prevalence of serious offences compared to national benchmarks. Meanwhile, public order incidents rose by 25%, a minor increase that could be linked to Halloween-related disturbances. The 86% deficit in shoplifting compared to the UK average highlights the area’s relative success in curbing retail theft, due to local enforcement strategies or community vigilance.

The area's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 5.8% decline from the previous month’s rate of 5.4 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 197 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day, a statistic that reflects the distribution of incidents across the month. Compared to the UK average, the area’s overall crime rate remains 37% lower, a consistent position that suggests underlying factors such as community cohesion or effective local policing may be at play. These figures, when viewed alongside the population of 15,986, indicate that the area maintains a relatively safe environment, though the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour warrants attention.