Burntwood Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 marked an unexpected surge in shoplifting within Burntwood, with the category registering 1.1 crimes per 1,000 residents — a 55% increase above the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This anomaly stands in stark contrast to the overall crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000, which is 19.5% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (31.8% of total incidents), shoplifting (15.9%), and anti-social behaviour (14.9%). These figures suggest a combination of local factors, with the high rate of shoplifting possibly linked to the area's retail presence and summer activity. The month's seasonal context — a peak holiday period — may have contributed to increased foot traffic and potential opportunities for theft, though the overall crime rate remains lower than the national average. Violent crimes, while still a significant category, showed a 14.7% decline from July's 75 to August's 64, reflecting seasonal variations in public interactions or community interventions. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, influenced by the influx of visitors during the summer months. The relatively low rates of property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime (both 0.3 per 1,000) contrast with the UK average, indicating that Burntwood's built-up character may offer better protection against these types of incidents compared to more rural or isolated areas.

August 2024 saw a 200% increase in drugs-related crimes, rising from one incident to three, marking the most significant month-on-month jump in the area. Possession of weapons also doubled, reflecting a 100% increase from one to two incidents. Anti-social behaviour surged by 57.9%, with cases rising from 19 to 30, indicating a notable shift in community dynamics. Shoplifting, though not a month-on-month change, stood out as a category 55% above the UK average, at 1.1 per 1,000. In contrast, other crime dropped by 37.5% (from eight to five incidents), and criminal damage and arson decreased by 18.2% (from 11 to nine). These fluctuations highlight the varied nature of local crime, with some categories like violence and sexual offences declining by 14.7% (from 75 to 64). Such data points offer residents a concrete understanding of evolving risks, such as the sharp rise in drug-related incidents, which may warrant increased community awareness or targeted local initiatives.

Burntwood's crime rate in August 2024 remained stable at 6.6 per 1,000 residents, a 0.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.7 per 1,000. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall crime trends during the month. Daily crime activity averaged approximately six reported incidents per day, reflecting a steady pace of reporting. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 151 residents, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the local population. With a population of 30,283, Burntwood's crime profile remains significantly below the UK average, highlighting a relative safety compared to national benchmarks. The stability in crime rates may be influenced by factors such as seasonal activity patterns, including the peak of the summer holiday season, which can impact both crime trends and community vigilance.