Lichfield Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 111,932 residents, Lichfield recorded 548 crimes in November 2023, translating to 4.9 crimes per 1,000 people—34.7% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This rate places Lichfield among the safer areas in England and Wales, though the crime profile reflects local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 218 incidents (39.8% of total crimes), significantly lower than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This may partly explain the overall rate, as violent crime is typically more concentrated in urban areas. Vehicle crime, however, stood out at 0.6 per 1,000 (20% above the UK average), likely linked to the town’s road network and seasonal factors like Black Friday shopping. Anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000) were also below national averages, suggesting effective community policing or lower foot traffic in certain areas. November’s darker evenings and Bonfire Night may have influenced patterns, with vehicle crime and public order offences rising due to increased nighttime activity. However, the overall stability in the crime rate—just 1.8% lower than October—indicates no dramatic shifts. The balance between violent and property crimes remains skewed, with property crimes (210) slightly outpacing violent crimes (218), a contrast to UK trends where property crime is generally lower. This could reflect Lichfield’s mix of residential and commercial areas, where retail and vehicle-related crime are more prevalent than in purely urban or rural settings.

November 2023 saw an 11.0% decrease in violence and sexual offences, falling from 245 to 218. This decline, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns as colder weather may reduce outdoor congregation. Conversely, possession of weapons rose by 100% (3 to 6), a stark increase that may reflect isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. Vehicle crime remained 20% above the UK average, with 62 reported cases—tied to increased holiday shopping traffic and the presence of commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour dropped by 25.6% (43 to 32), due to heightened community vigilance during the festive season. Shoplifting fell by 27% compared to the UK average, suggesting effective retail security measures or lower footfall in key areas. The monthly breakdown also highlights Lichfield’s lower rates of public order offences (5.8% of total crimes) and burglary (4.9% of total crimes), both of which are 43% and 41% below national averages respectively. These figures may indicate a safer environment for pedestrians and residents, though the 100% drop in robbery (from 0.1 to 0.0 per 1,000) requires caution—statistical noise rather than a definitive trend. For residents, the 18 crimes per day figure offers a tangible context: over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 204 residents, a rate that, while low, underscores the importance of continued community engagement.

Lichfield’s crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 in November 2023 was stable compared to October’s 5.0, indicating no major fluctuations. Over 30 days, this translated to 18 crimes per day—a figure that, while seemingly high, is mitigated by the town’s population size. For context, one crime occurred for every 204 residents during the month, a ratio that suggests a relatively low level of exposure compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the UK average, Lichfield’s rate is 34.7% lower, a difference that becomes more meaningful when considering the town’s population. While the UK average includes areas with higher concentrations of violent crime, Lichfield’s lower violent crime rate (2.0 per 1,000) and higher anti-social behaviour rate (0.5 per 1,000) indicate a distinct local profile. This may reflect Lichfield’s character as a mid-sized town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where property crime and vehicle-related incidents are more common than in densely populated cities. The monthly exposure metric—1-in-204 residents—provides a practical lens: for every 200 households, one crime was reported, a figure that, while not negligible, is far below the UK average of 1-in-133. This disparity highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies and the importance of maintaining community-focused initiatives to sustain such outcomes.