Bracebridge Heath Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Bracebridge Heath’s crime rate in September 2023 stood at 4.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 50% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This figure, while relatively low, masks a significant shift in the nature of crimes reported, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 47.8% of all incidents—nearly double the proportion of the next most common category, shoplifting. The seasonal context of September, marked by the return of students to local schools and universities, may have contributed to the surge in violent crime. The area’s overall safety profile is reinforced by its consistently low rates of property crimes, with shoplifting and other thefts remaining 11% and 50% below UK averages, respectively. However, the sharp increase in violent offences—from two to 11 incidents—raises questions about the factors driving this trend. The area’s semi-rural character, which likely limits opportunities for large-scale property crime, may also explain the lower rates of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage compared to the UK average. Despite these patterns, the recent spikes in violent crime underscore the need for continued monitoring and community engagement to address emerging concerns.

September 2023 saw a dramatic 450% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from two to 11 incidents. This jump, which accounts for nearly half of all crimes reported, marks a stark departure from the previous month and may partly explain the area’s overall rate rise. Shoplifting also rose sharply by 200%, with three incidents reported in September compared to one in August, reflecting a potential link to seasonal factors such as the return of students and the start of the academic term. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 80%, from 10 to 2 incidents, suggesting a possible shift in community dynamics or increased policing efforts. The rate of violence and sexual offences in the area remains 31% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, though the surge in this category highlights a growing concern for residents. Other theft and shoplifting rates also remain below national averages, but the rapid increase in violent crime deserves closer attention from local authorities and community members.

Bracebridge Heath's crime rate in September 2023 rose by 53.5% compared to the previous month, increasing from 2.6 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend contrasts with the area’s continued position as one of the safest in the UK, where the overall rate remains 50% below the national average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day in September, a figure that, while modest, reflects a notable shift from the previous month’s lower activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 253 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a community of 5,815 people. When compared to the UK average, the area’s significantly lower crime rate highlights its unique demographic and geographic characteristics, which likely include a mix of rural and semi-rural environments with limited urban density. This context helps explain why property crimes and violent offences remain lower than the national average, despite the recent month-on-month increase in specific categories.