Southwell (Newark and Sherwood) Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 5,809 residents, 22 crimes were reported in May 2024 — a rate of 3.8 per 1,000 people, 54.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This reflects a consistently low crime profile compared to national trends, with property crimes (8 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (13 incidents) dominating the landscape. Anti-social behaviour alone accounted for nearly 60% of all reported crimes, a stark contrast to the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, where this category contributes just 52% of the national total. The seasonal context of May — with bank holidays, longer evenings, and increased outdoor socialising — may partly explain the prominence of anti-social behaviour, which often escalates during periods of heightened public activity. While violent crimes (1 incident) and burglary (2 incidents) remained well below UK averages, the overall crime mix suggests a community where property-related and disorderly conduct issues are more prevalent than violent crime. This pattern aligns with the characteristics of a small built-up area, where localised tensions and limited public spaces could contribute to anti-social incidents.

May 2024 saw a 44.4% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 9 to 13 incidents — a significant shift in the crime mix. This surge, combined with an 88.9% drop in criminal damage and arson (from 9 to 1) and an 80.0% reduction in shoplifting (from 10 to 2), highlights volatility in specific categories. Anti-social behaviour’s rate of 2.2 per 1,000 is 52% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a localised challenge in managing public order. Conversely, burglary (0.3 per 1,000) and other theft (0.3 per 1,000) are both 3% and 48% below UK averages respectively, indicating effective measures in property crime prevention. The sharp decline in shoplifting may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic during May’s school holidays. These fluctuations underscore the need for targeted interventions in anti-social behaviour, while the consistent underperformance of property crime rates relative to the UK suggests a model worth replicating.

Southwell’s crime rate in May 2024 (3.8 per 1,000) marked a 52.1% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.9 per 1,000, reflecting a marked downward trend. On a daily basis, this translates to approximately 1 crime per day — a figure that, while low, underscores the area’s stability in managing criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 264 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low compared to national benchmarks. With a population of 5,809, this equates to a resident experiencing a crime roughly once every 14 years, assuming uniform distribution. The previous month’s sharp increase in anti-social behaviour (9 incidents) contrasts with May’s 13 incidents, illustrating the variability in local crime patterns. While the daily crime count remains minimal, the population-scaled perspective highlights Southwell’s resilience in maintaining safety, particularly given its small size and the absence of major urban infrastructure. This context suggests that community-led initiatives or local policing strategies may be contributing to the sustained low crime rate, though further analysis would be required to confirm such hypotheses.