Blyth (Northumberland) Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 marked a significant spike in shoplifting activity in Blyth (Northumberland), with a 76.5% increase compared to October, driven by the Black Friday shopping period. The area's overall crime rate of 13.7 per 1,000 residents—82.7% above the UK average—reveals a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 30.9% of all incidents, while anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed closely at 22.0% and 15.8% respectively. These figures contrast sharply with the UK averages for these categories, which are 62% and 300% below Blyth's rates. The seasonal context of November, with its extended darkness and major retail events, likely contributed to these patterns. Despite the month's slight 2.9% reduction in overall crime compared to October, the area's crime profile remains significantly higher than the national benchmark. The dominance of violent crime and property-related offences suggests a combination of local factors—such as the town's retail infrastructure and demographic composition—and broader criminal trends. While anti-social behaviour and shoplifting surged, burglary and vehicle crime remained below UK averages, indicating some areas of relative success in crime prevention. The data highlights the need for targeted strategies to address the root causes of violent and property crime while maintaining efforts to curb more specific issues like weapon possession and anti-social conduct.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in shoplifting, which rose by 76.5% to 90 incidents, marking the largest proportional increase among all crime categories. This surge aligns with the timing of Black Friday shopping, a seasonal factor that likely amplifies retail-related crime in Blyth's commercial districts. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 75% to just two incidents, potentially reflecting the end of the holiday season or changes in commuter patterns. Possession of weapons saw a striking 133.3% increase, rising from three to seven cases, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 233% and warrants close monitoring. Violent crimes remain high, with 176 incidents contributing 30.9% of all reported crimes—62% above the UK average for this category. These figures illustrate the combination of local demographics, seasonal events, and persistent criminal activity patterns in Blyth.

Blyth's November 2023 crime rate of 13.7 per 1,000 residents represents a 2.9% decline from the previous month's 14.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable reduction in overall criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 73 residents, illustrating the frequency of incidents in a densely populated built-up area. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of 19 crimes reported each day in Blyth, a figure that contextualises the persistent challenge of maintaining public safety in this Northumberland town. While the monthly rate has dipped slightly, Blyth remains 82.7% above the UK average, underscoring a continuing disparity in crime trends between this area and the national benchmark. The population context further highlights the significance of these figures: with 41,597 residents, even small percentage changes translate to tangible differences in individual risk exposure.