Dronfield Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

May 2024 marked a notable shift in Dronfield's crime profile, with the most unexpected development being the 200% surge in 'other theft' cases. This built-up area within North East Derbyshire recorded 68 crimes at a rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents — 61.9% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. The crime mix revealed a combination of property and violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.2% of total incidents, followed by shoplifting (13.2%) and criminal damage (10.3%). Seasonal factors likely contributed to patterns observed, as May's longer evenings and bank holidays may have influenced outdoor socialising and drinking. However, the sharp rise in 'other theft' defies immediate explanation, contrasting with declines in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime. The area's overall safety remains markedly better than national averages, with violent crime rates 58% below the UK figure and anti-social behaviour 79% below. This suggests that while specific pockets of concern exist, Dronfield's broader crime profile continues to reflect the characteristics of a small, built-up area with relatively low overall crime levels. The seasonal context of May — with its mix of public events and extended daylight — may have created conditions where certain types of crime, such as shoplifting and public order issues, remain consistently lower than national trends.

The most striking development in May 2024 was the 200% increase in 'other theft' cases, rising from 2 to 6 incidents. This sharp rise, though unexplained by available data, contrasts with declines in other categories: anti-social behaviour fell by 36.4% and vehicle crime dropped by 33.3%. The breakdown of crime types reveals a stark divergence from national trends, with violence and sexual offences at 1.2 per 1,000 — 58% below the UK average. Shoplifting, typically a concern in retail-heavy areas, occurred at 0.4 per 1,000, 38% below the UK figure. Conversely, bicycle theft rose slightly to 0.1 per 1,000, 25% above the UK average, a minor anomaly that may reflect seasonal shifts in cycling activity. For residents, the 2.7% monthly decline in overall crime offers a tangible measure of local safety improvements, though the spike in 'other theft' warrants closer monitoring.

Dronfield's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 3.2 per 1,000 residents, a 2.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.3 per 1,000. This modest decline aligns with broader trends observed in similar built-up areas during early spring, when seasonal transitions may temporarily reduce outdoor activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the overall rate as relatively low when compared to the national average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 312 residents, illustrating a monthly exposure that places Dronfield well below the UK's average crime frequency. When scaled to the local population of 21,206, the 68 total crimes reported represent a manageable burden, though the 200% increase in 'other theft' cases highlights a specific concern requiring attention. This population-scaled perspective underscores that while crime is present, its impact is proportionally limited in a community of this size.