Southwell (Newark and Sherwood) Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Southwell (Newark and Sherwood) maintained its position as one of the UK's safest areas in August 2025, with a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents—58.0% below the national average of 8.1. This stark contrast with the UK figure underscores the area's consistent low-crime profile, which has historically been attributed to its small-town character and limited urban density. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.0% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (25.0%) and vehicle crime (5.0%). While the overall rate remained well below UK levels, the breakdown revealed nuanced differences: violence and sexual offences in Southwell were 44% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour was 38% below. However, possession of weapons in the area was 122% above the UK average, a rare anomaly that may reflect specific local circumstances. Seasonal factors appear to have played a role, with August's peak holiday season likely influencing crime patterns. The increase in violence and sexual offences may be partially explained by the influx of tourists and the associated changes in local demographics during the summer months. Meanwhile, the sharp decline in criminal damage and arson—down 80% from July—could be linked to the typical reduction in outdoor activities during August. These patterns suggest that while Southwell's overall safety remains strong, targeted efforts may be needed to address the specific rise in violent incidents during high-traffic periods.

August saw a dramatic 125% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from four to nine incidents. This surge, while not unusual for a holiday month, stands out given the area's typically low violent crime profile. Concurrently, vehicle crime and possession of weapons both doubled from zero to one incident each, suggesting potential shifts in local activity patterns. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 80%, likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during August. Possession of weapons in Southwell exceeded the UK average by 122%, a stark contrast to other categories that remain significantly below national levels. For residents, the 125% spike in violence and sexual offences may raise questions about local safety measures during peak tourism periods.

Southwell's crime rate in August 2025 rose 11.0% compared to the previous month, from 3.1 to 3.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area's historically low crime profile. On a daily basis, the 20 reported crimes equate to roughly one incident per day—a figure that, when contextualised against the local population of 5,809, translates to a monthly exposure rate of one crime for every 290 residents. This places Southwell among the safest areas nationally, with its overall rate 58.0% below the UK average. The population-scaled perspective is particularly telling: even with the month-on-month increase, the likelihood of encountering crime remains significantly lower than in most UK locations. This stability, however, is not uniform across crime types, as highlighted by the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences—a trend that warrants closer examination within the broader regional context.