Meltham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Meltham's crime profile in January 2024 is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 44% of all reported crimes. With a total of 50 crimes recorded, the area's crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents is 25.7% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This lower-than-average rate is consistent with Meltham's status as a built-up area within Kirklees, where community cohesion and local policing may contribute to reduced crime. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail activity—likely influences the crime picture, with fewer outdoor crimes typical of this time of year. However, the high proportion of violent crime suggests that factors such as local social dynamics or specific incidents may be at play. Property-related crimes, while lower than the UK average in categories like shoplifting and criminal damage, show marked increases in other theft, which is 75% above the national benchmark. This divergence highlights the need for targeted strategies to address property crime trends, even as overall crime remains below the UK average. The balance between violent and property crimes also reflects the area's character: a relatively stable community with occasional spikes in specific offence types that require further analysis.

January 2024 saw a 300% increase in shoplifting, rising from one to four incidents, a sharp contrast to the 33.3% decrease in criminal damage and arson. Other theft also rose by 75% above the UK average, with nine incidents recorded, while drugs and theft from the person each saw 100% increases from zero to one. These fluctuations highlight shifting patterns in property-related crime, possibly influenced by post-holiday retail activity and reduced footfall. Meanwhile, public order offences fell by 40%, from five to three, suggesting a quieter month in terms of disturbances. The dominance of violence and sexual offences—accounting for 44% of all crimes—remains a key concern, though this category is 8% below the UK average. Residents may note that while violent crime is prevalent, other theft categories are high compared to national figures, warranting closer attention to local retail and public spaces.

Meltham's crime rate in January 2024 fell to 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 7.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.9. This downward trend contrasts with the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, highlighting Meltham's consistently lower crime levels. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately two crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the small population of 9,128. Over the course of January, one crime occurred for roughly every 183 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents. This statistic, when contextualised against Meltham's built-up area status within Kirklees, suggests a community with a stable and low-crime environment. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that crime remains a rare occurrence, though fluctuations in specific categories—such as shoplifting—warrant attention. These numbers offer residents a clear sense of their local safety profile, with crime remaining a minor concern compared to the national average.