Dronfield Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Dronfield's crime profile in October 2024, accounting for 25.4% of all reported crimes. This category, with 15 incidents, remains 74% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, highlighting a consistent divergence from national trends. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 23.7% of total crimes.7 per 1,000 is also 46% below the UK average. The area's overall crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 is 65.4% lower than the UK's 8.1 per 1,000, a gap that has persisted despite seasonal factors. October's shorter daylight hours and Halloween activities may have influenced crime patterns, though the data shows no significant spikes in theft or violence compared to other months. The breakdown reveals a largely property-focused crime mix, with property crimes (27 incidents) comprising 45.8% of total reports, while violent crimes (15 incidents) account for 25.4%. This suggests a landscape where personal safety concerns coexist with property protection needs, potentially reflecting the area's mix of residential and commercial spaces. The lower-than-average rates for nearly all categories could indicate effective local policing, community engagement, or demographic factors such as a more stable population compared to larger urban centres.

October 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime types. Anti-social behaviour surged by 133.3% compared to the previous month, rising from six to 14 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal gatherings or community events. Vehicle crime and burglary both rose by 40%, from five to seven incidents each, potentially linked to increased foot traffic during Halloween or changes in parking patterns. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, from six to three, due to reduced alcohol-related incidents or successful local interventions. Shoplifting declined by 33.3%, with only two reported incidents, and violence and sexual offences dropped by 31.8%, from 22 to 15. This latter decrease is particularly significant given the category's prominence in the overall crime mix. The area's performance against the UK average is striking: violence and sexual offences are 74% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour is 46% below. These gaps suggest that Dronfield's unique characteristics—its smaller population, community cohesion, or effective local policing—play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. For residents, the 65.4% deficit compared to the UK average offers a tangible measure of relative safety, though the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour underscores areas for continued attention.

Dronfield's crime rate in October 2024 fell to 2.8 per 1,000, a 6.4% decline from the previous month's 3.0 per 1,000. This monthly decrease aligns with broader trends observed in similar built-up areas, where crime rates often dip slightly during the transition between autumn and winter. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately two crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may seem high in absolute terms but translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 359 residents—a rate that is lower than many comparable towns. When scaled to Dronfield's population of 21,206, the 59 total crimes represent a manageable burden, with most residents unlikely to encounter crime directly. The previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000 provides context for this decline, suggesting that local efforts or seasonal factors may have contributed to the downward trend. While the daily crime count appears relatively stable, the monthly exposure figure offers a more nuanced perspective, illustrating that the vast majority of residents are not directly affected by crime on a regular basis. This contrast between daily and monthly metrics highlights the importance of considering both immediate and long-term patterns when assessing community safety.