Blyth Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Blyth, Northumberland, 12.8 crimes were reported in May 2023 — a figure 60% higher than the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of encountering roughly 17 crimes across the built-up area, with one reported incident affecting approximately every 78 residents over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.1% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (22.9%) and criminal damage and arson (11.6%). These figures highlight a stark contrast to national trends, with Blyth’s violent crime rate being 58% above the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of May — longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising — may partly explain the prominence of violence and anti-social behaviour, though the area’s specific characteristics remain to be explored. While the UK experiences a typical seasonal dip in property crime during warmer months, Blyth saw no such pattern, with property crimes making up only 29% of the total. This divergence suggests local factors, such as the area’s socio-economic profile or community dynamics, may play a role in sustaining higher levels of violent and disorderly incidents. The high rate of criminal damage and arson (1.5 per 1,000) also raises questions about the impact of environmental or economic stressors, though further analysis would be required to confirm such connections.

May 2023 saw a dramatic 200% increase in drug-related crimes, jumping from 4 to 12 incidents — a shift that could reflect heightened activity during the month’s extended evenings or changes in local enforcement patterns. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 40.9% (44 to 62), suggesting a possible link to seasonal factors such as increased alcohol consumption in public spaces or the timing of bank holidays. In contrast, shoplifting decreased by 34.1% (from 41 to 27), which may be attributed to reduced foot traffic during May or shifts in retail security measures. Blyth’s anti-social behaviour rate (2.9 per 1,000) was 118% above the UK average, a disparity that could be influenced by the area’s compact built-up environment, where social interactions are more concentrated. The violent crime rate (4.4 per 1,000) was also 58% above the national average, a figure that might correlate with the area’s proximity to larger urban centres or the presence of transient populations during the tourism season. While vehicle crime was 33% below the UK average (0.3 vs 0.5 per 1,000), this could reflect the limited density of car parks in Blyth compared to more densely populated regions. These shifts underscore the need for tailored approaches to addressing local crime trends, rather than relying on broad national strategies.

Blyth’s crime rate in May 2023 (12.8 per 1,000) marked an 18.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 10.9, a rise that translates to one reported crime for every 78 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure is significantly higher than the UK average, where the equivalent ratio would be roughly 1 in 125 residents. The daily crime count of 17 incidents in Blyth underscores the persistent nature of local crime, with residents facing a higher frequency of encounters compared to other areas. When compared to the UK average, Blyth’s violent crime rate (4.4 per 1,000) was 58% above the national figure, a disparity that may be influenced by the area’s demographic composition or the concentration of certain crime types. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Blyth’s residents are more likely to experience anti-social behaviour (2.9 per 1,000) than the UK average (1.3 per 1,000), a difference that could be attributed to the built-up area’s density and the potential for heightened social tensions. While the rate of vehicle crime was 33% below the UK average, this does not offset the overall elevation in violent and disorderly incidents, which collectively drive Blyth’s crime profile above national benchmarks. These comparisons highlight the need for targeted interventions that address the specific challenges faced by Blyth’s community, rather than adopting generic crime reduction strategies.