Newark and Sherwood Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 127,886 residents, Newark and Sherwood recorded 1,006 crimes in May 2025, translating to a crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 people. This figure is 2.5% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slightly safer environment compared to the national benchmark. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.6% of all reported crimes (308 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (187 incidents) and shoplifting (112 incidents). These patterns align with the area’s mix of urban and rural characteristics, where town centres and social hubs may contribute to higher rates of violent and disorderly incidents. Seasonal factors in May, including longer evenings and bank holidays, likely influenced the increase in outdoor socialising, which may partly explain the prominence of violence and anti-social behaviour. Shoplifting remains a persistent issue, with 112 cases recorded—34% above the UK average for this category. The relatively low burglary rate (29 incidents, 29% below the UK average) suggests that residential areas in Newark and Sherwood may benefit from effective security measures or lower foot traffic in certain zones. This month’s data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas while highlighting areas where local efforts may already be yielding positive results.

May 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Other theft increased by 76.3% (38 to 67 incidents), a sharp rise that may reflect heightened opportunities in retail or residential areas during the month’s longer evenings. Concurrently, drugs-related crimes rose by 73.3% (15 to 26 incidents), a significant jump that could indicate shifts in local drug markets or increased police visibility leading to more detections. Bicycle theft also climbed by 30.8% (13 to 17 incidents), linked to the start of the university term or increased cycling during warmer weather. In contrast, other crime fell by 33.3% (45 to 30 incidents), a drop that might reflect successful community initiatives or seasonal lulls in less common crime types. Violence and sexual offences remained lower than the UK average (2.4 per 1,000 vs. 2.8 per 1,000), a trend consistent with the area’s relatively low levels of violent crime compared to other parts of the country. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 6% above the UK average (1.5 vs. 1.4 per 1,000), a figure that may be influenced by the social dynamics of Newark’s town centre during May’s extended daylight hours. These variations highlight the importance of tailored policing strategies that address both rising and declining trends without overgeneralising the area’s overall safety profile.

The crime rate in Newark and Sherwood rose by 11.6% in May 2025 compared to the previous month’s rate of 7.1 per 1,000, marking a notable upward shift. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 32 crimes per day in May, a figure that provides a concrete sense of the local crime burden. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 127 residents, a monthly exposure rate that contextualises the impact of crime on the community. This figure, while seemingly abstract, translates to a tangible risk for residents—every 127 people in the area experienced at least one crime in May. The population context is crucial: with 127,886 residents, the 1,006 reported crimes represent 0.78% of the population, a proportion that may appear low but is amplified by the concentrated nature of certain crime types. The comparison to the UK average also reveals nuanced insights: while the area’s overall rate is slightly better than the national average, specific categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting show marked differences. This contrast underscores the need for differentiated approaches to crime prevention, focusing on areas where local rates diverge from national trends. The month-on-month increase, though modest, suggests that local factors—such as seasonal transitions or changes in policing focus—may be influencing the crime picture in ways that require further attention.