Meltham Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Meltham's August 2025 crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents places it 24.7% below the UK average, a position reinforced by its violent crime profile. Violence and sexual offences (22 cases, 39.3% of total) and anti-social behaviour (10 cases, 17.9%) dominate the crime mix, both significantly below UK averages. This pattern contrasts with the sharp rise in property-related offences, particularly vehicle crime (3 cases, up 200% from July) and criminal damage and arson (6 cases, up 100%). The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—may partly explain these fluctuations, as tourism and empty homes could heighten risks for vandalism and vehicle crime. However, the sustained low rates for burglary (2 cases, 60% fewer than July) and shoplifting (2 cases, 68% below UK average) suggest effective local measures or demographic factors. Meltham's built-up character within Kirklees, likely shaped by a mix of residential and retail areas, may contribute to its crime profile, where violent incidents are more concentrated than property crimes. This balance between below-average violent crime and rising property offences highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics, requiring targeted responses to emerging trends.

August 2025 saw a dramatic 200% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 1 to 3 incidents, a shift that contrasts with the 68% UK-wide deficit in shoplifting. Simultaneously, criminal damage and arson doubled from 3 to 6 cases, a stark deviation from the 19% UK average for this category. These spikes in property-related offences may partly explain the 33.3% drop in shoplifting, as focus shifted from retail to vandalism. Violent crime, however, remained significantly below the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 2.4 per 1,000 (16% below the UK's 2.9 per 1,000). The 60% decline in burglary (from 5 to 2 cases) aligns with August's seasonal pattern, where holiday absences might reduce home vulnerability. Residents may find the 100% increase in robbery, from 0 to 1 incident, a notable concern.

Meltham's crime rate in August 2025 (6.1 per 1,000 residents) marks a 6.7% decrease from July's 6.6 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend. Daily crime figures show an average of 2 reported incidents per day across the 31-day period, a manageable frequency for a built-up area of 9,128 residents. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 163 residents, a ratio that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. This monthly exposure figure, while low compared to UK averages, highlights the relative safety of Meltham's environment. The population context further underscores that the crime rate remains well below the UK average, with 24.7% fewer incidents per 1,000 residents than the national figure. This consistency in lower-than-average rates suggests systemic factors, such as community policing or local initiatives, may contribute to sustained safety levels despite seasonal fluctuations.