Bolton-le-Sands Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Bolton-le-Sands saw a slight shift in crime patterns, with property crimes accounting for 42.3% of all incidents compared to 38.5% for violent crimes. This balance, though narrow, reflects the area’s unique character as a coastal community where seasonal fluctuations influence criminal activity. While the overall crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents remains significantly below the UK average (8.1 per 1,000), the distribution of offences highlights a distinct local dynamic. Violence and sexual offences, making up nearly 40% of all incidents, still fall 47% below the UK average, a figure that may be attributed to the area’s low population density and the seasonal reduction in public gatherings during August school holidays. However, property crimes—including burglary, which rose 18% above the UK average—suggest a different trend, likely tied to the influx of temporary residents and the increased presence of vacant properties during the summer months. The breakdown shows that criminal damage and arson, while relatively rare, surged by 300% compared to July, indicating a potential vulnerability in areas where unoccupied homes or outdoor spaces are more visible during warmer weather. This contrast between violent and property crime trends underscores the complexity of local dynamics, where factors like tourism, household occupancy, and seasonal weather patterns play a significant role. The area’s small population of 7,334 further amplifies the impact of even minor fluctuations, making it crucial to monitor these shifts closely to identify emerging risks or opportunities for targeted interventions.

The most notable month-on-month shift was the 300% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from one to four incidents. This surge, while unexplained by the data, may be linked to seasonal factors such as increased vandalism during warmer weather or targeted activity in areas with vacant properties. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 50%, from six to three incidents, likely tied to reduced public gatherings during August’s school holidays. Violent crime, though still the most common category (38.5% of total), fell slightly by 9.1%, remaining 47% below the UK average. Burglary rates rose 18% above the UK average, a rare deviation that may indicate heightened risk in areas with seasonal vacancies or increased visibility of unoccupied homes during the peak holiday period. The balance between property and violent crime—slightly favoring property offences—suggests a local dynamic where seasonal tourism and temporary housing arrangements may drive certain categories, even as others decline. Residents may find the 50% drop in anti-social behaviour during August particularly relevant, as it aligns with reduced public activity during school holidays.

August 2023 saw a modest 8.6% increase in Bolton-le-Sands’ crime rate compared to July, rising from 3.3 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This shift, while slight, aligns with seasonal patterns typical of a coastal area during peak holiday months, when temporary population fluctuations and increased tourism may influence local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime every 31 days, equating to roughly one crime per day. Over the course of the month, this translated to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 282 residents. Given the area’s small population of 7,334, this figure underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. While the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, the 8.6% increase highlights the need for continued monitoring of trends that could reflect seasonal or localized factors, such as increased foot traffic in tourist areas or changes in household occupancy during the summer months. The modest rise contrasts with the area’s historical trend of stable crime rates during August, suggesting that external factors—such as the timing of holidays or the influx of temporary residents—may play a role in short-term fluctuations.