Locking Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2024, Locking recorded a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 53.2% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This marked reduction in crime is one of the most striking aspects of the month’s data, particularly when contrasted with the broader UK context where crime rates remain significantly higher. The area’s most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (9 incidents, 47.4% of total), followed by public order (3 incidents, 15.8%) and anti-social behaviour (2 incidents, 10.5%). These figures suggest that interpersonal disputes and public disturbances continue to shape the local crime picture, though their prevalence remains lower than in other parts of the country. Seasonal factors may have played a role in this pattern: as September marks the return to school and university term, the area’s smaller population and possibly tighter-knit community structure could contribute to lower rates of violence. However, the data also reveals a more complex picture, with public order offences slightly exceeding the UK average by 7%. This minor deviation could indicate specific challenges in managing public spaces or events, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. The overall low crime rate, combined with the area’s built-up character within North Somerset, suggests that Locking’s unique demographics and geographic position may offer insights into how smaller communities manage to maintain relatively safer environments. The absence of major property crimes—only 4 total, compared to 9 violent crimes—further reinforces the idea that Locking’s crime profile is distinct, with interpersonal issues rather than theft or burglary dominating the statistics. As the year progresses, monitoring these trends will be crucial to understanding whether this pattern holds or if new challenges emerge.

September 2024 saw unexpected shifts in crime patterns, with possession of weapons increasing by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident) and burglary also rising by 100% (from 0 to 1). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, mark a stark departure from prior trends and may signal emerging local issues. Conversely, vehicle crime dropped sharply by 75% (from 4 to 1), a decrease that aligns with seasonal factors—September’s shorter evenings and reduced foot traffic in retail areas may have deterred vehicle-related offences. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime type, fell by 18.2% from 11 to 9, a decline that could be attributed to the start of the academic term, which often sees reduced late-night activity. Violence and sexual offences in Locking remain 35% below the UK average (1.7 vs 2.6 per 1,000), while possession of weapons is 186% above the UK average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000), highlighting a unique local anomaly. Residents might find the 1-in-279 monthly exposure figure particularly useful for understanding the low likelihood of being directly affected by crime.

Locking's crime rate in September 2024 dropped to 3.6 per 1,000 residents, a 23.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.7 per 1,000. This decline places the area in a safer position compared to its recent performance, though the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that may seem low but reflects the area’s relatively small population of 5,299. Monthly exposure calculations show that, over the course of September, one crime occurred for every 279 residents. This is a useful metric for residents to contextualise risk: the chance of being directly involved in a crime is statistically minimal. However, the drop from the previous month may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the start of the academic term, which could reduce foot traffic in certain areas. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that Locking’s crime profile is distinct from larger urban centres, where higher density and anonymity can drive different crime patterns.