Linthwaite and Slaithwaite Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 marked a significant shift in Linthwaite and Slaithwaite’s crime profile, with the area recording a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents—27.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This continued trend of lower-than-average crime underscores the area’s relatively safe environment, though patterns in specific offence types reveal nuanced dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 57.6% of all crimes (34 incidents), followed by public order (10.2%) and burglary (5.1%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for violent crimes (2.7 per 1,000) and public order (0.6 per 1,000), highlighting local disparities. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the Halloween period, and the transition to shorter days—may have influenced the crime mix. Violent crime rates fell by 27.7% compared to September, a decline consistent with the area’s historical seasonal trends, where reduced outdoor activity and lower foot traffic in local amenities may temper incidents. However, the prominence of violence remains a concern, reflecting localized factors such as community tensions or unaddressed social challenges. The relatively low burglary and vehicle crime rates (both 0.3 per 1,000) suggest that property crime is not a major driver of crime in this built-up area, contrasting with trends in larger urban centres where such offences often dominate. These findings illustrate an area with a stable, if not improving, security profile, though targeted efforts may be needed to address the persistent issue of violent crime.

The month-on-month analysis reveals a marked decline in violent crimes, dropping by 27.7% from 47 to 34 incidents—a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in community behaviour or the impact of local initiatives. Conversely, 'other crime' saw a 200% surge, rising from 1 to 3 incidents, a category that, while not explicitly defined, could encompass unclassified or emerging types of misconduct. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, warrants attention, particularly as it outpaces UK averages for similar categories. Other notable changes included a 75% reduction in shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, both falling from 4 to 1 and 8 to 2, respectively. These decreases may be linked to heightened police presence during the Halloween period or the natural ebb of seasonal retail-focused crimes. The area’s violent crime rate, however, remains 22% above the UK average (3.3 vs 2.7 per 1,000), a discrepancy that could be attributed to the community’s unique characteristics—a higher proportion of transient populations or specific local stressors. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime rates stayed well below UK averages (12% and 42% lower, respectively), suggesting that property-related crimes are not a dominant concern here. For residents, the sharp drop in shoplifting is a tangible benefit, reducing risks in local businesses during the pre-Christmas shopping period.

In October 2023, Linthwaite and Slaithwaite’s crime rate fell to 5.8 per 1,000 residents, a 27.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.9. This decline places the area’s monthly crime profile in stark contrast to its September figures, though it is important to contextualize these numbers within the local population. With 10,263 residents, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day in October—a figure that, while low, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents in specific categories. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 174 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average, though no direct comparison is available for this metric. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s crime burden is unevenly distributed: while 57.6% of crimes were violent, these incidents were spread across a relatively small number of residents, suggesting that the impact of violent crime is concentrated in certain groups or locations. The previous month’s higher rate may have been influenced by the end of the summer season, when increased foot traffic in local amenities could heighten opportunities for crime. However, the October figures indicate a return to a more stable pattern, with the area’s crime profile aligning more closely with its historical trends of lower property crime and higher violent crime rates. This contrast between monthly and annual trends highlights the importance of viewing crime data through both short-term and long-term lenses to fully understand local dynamics.