Southwell (Newark and Sherwood) Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Southwell (Newark and Sherwood) recorded a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 55% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects a broader trend in the built-up area, where crime remains consistently lower than national benchmarks. The two most common crime types were anti-social behaviour (23.8% of total) and violence and sexual offences (23.8%), both of which fell significantly below UK averages. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, was 30% below the UK rate of 1.3, while violence and sexual offences (0.9 per 1,000) were 67% below the UK average of 2.7. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, the clocks going back, and Halloween—may have influenced patterns, with anti-social behaviour and violence typically rising during darker evenings. However, the data suggests a low baseline of violent crime in the area, possibly linked to its relatively small, close-knit community structure. Property crimes, though less frequent than violent ones, accounted for 42.9% of the total, with vehicle crime (0.7 per 1,000) being the most notable category. This rate was 35% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, a discrepancy that may reflect local factors such as commuter traffic or parking density. The overall crime profile illustrates a balance between low violent crime and slightly elevated property-related incidents, shaped by the area’s geography and seasonal rhythms.

October 2023 saw dramatic swings in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 300% compared to September. This jump—from one reported incident to four—was the most significant month-on-month change, potentially linked to seasonal factors such as increased vehicle movement during darker evenings or Halloween-related activity. Concurrently, possession of weapons and drugs both rose by 100%, marking a stark shift in the crime mix. These increases, though small in absolute terms (one incident each), suggest a potential uptick in non-violent but legally sensitive offences. In contrast, shoplifting and criminal damage and arson both declined. Shoplifting fell by 33.3%, from three to two incidents, possibly reflecting the impact of local retail strategies or seasonal purchasing patterns. Criminal damage and arson dropped by 50%, from two to one, which could align with October’s typically lower incidence of such crimes compared to summer months. The crime mix also revealed notable disparities compared to the UK average: vehicle crime was 35% above the national rate, while anti-social behaviour and violence were significantly below. For residents, the 300% rise in vehicle crime may be a priority for local authorities, given its sharp increase despite the overall low crime rate. This highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas with high vehicle turnover or vulnerable parking spaces.

In October 2023, Southwell’s crime rate fell slightly from 3.8 per 1,000 in September to 3.6 per 1,000, a 4.5% decrease. This modest decline, though statistically small, underscores the area’s consistent position well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the built-up area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may appear low but reflects the area’s small population of 5,809 residents. When scaled to the local population, this equates to one reported crime for every 277 residents over the course of the month—a rate that is lower than the UK average when considered on a per-capita basis. The monthly exposure statistic, while not a direct measure of risk, provides context for residents: it suggests that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Southwell is significantly lower than in larger urban areas. This is further reinforced by the area’s historical trend of maintaining crime rates well below national levels, even during months with seasonal fluctuations. The comparison also highlights the importance of local factors, such as community cohesion or effective policing, which may contribute to the area’s sustained safety. While the 3.6 per 1,000 rate is a low figure, it is essential to contextualise it within the broader framework of the built-up area’s characteristics, which likely include a mix of residential and commercial zones with limited high-risk environments.