Morpeth Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Morpeth's overall crime rate in November 2024 was 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 14.5% above the UK average of 7.6. This marks a notable divergence from the national trend, with local patterns shaped by seasonal dynamics and community-specific factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.9% of all crimes, a significant share compared to the UK average of 36%, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also stood out as persistent issues. The town's crime profile reflects a mix of urban and rural characteristics, with its built-up area likely influenced by both local community interactions and broader regional influences. November, with its dark evenings and events like Bonfire Night, may have contributed to heightened incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The relatively high rate of criminal damage and arson—93% above the UK average—could be linked to the season's increased use of outdoor spaces and the timing of community events. Meanwhile, the lower-than-average rates for burglary (35% below UK) and vehicle crime (77% below UK) suggest that Morpeth's built-up area may have fewer opportunities for such crimes compared to more densely populated or car-centric urban centres. These patterns are consistent with the area's character as a smaller, historic town within Northumberland, where community dynamics and seasonal rhythms play a significant role in shaping crime trends.

November 2024 saw a 175% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 8 to 22 incidents—a sharp jump that may be linked to the timing of Bonfire Night and the start of the festive season. Other theft also doubled, increasing from 6 to 12 cases, potentially reflecting the impact of Black Friday shopping activity. In contrast, burglary and vehicle crime both decreased, with burglary falling by 57.1% and vehicle crime dropping by 50%. These reductions could indicate that seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and reduced foot traffic, temporarily limited opportunities for such crimes. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast between Morpeth and the UK average: violence and sexual offences are 36% higher than the national rate, while anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are 17% and 93% above UK averages, respectively. The rate of public order offences—1.0 per 1,000—was 96% above the UK average, suggesting that Morpeth's local context may involve more frequent disputes or enforcement challenges in public spaces. Residents might find the 30% increase in shoplifting (from 0.7 to 0.9 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as this could indicate pressure on local retail outlets during the pre-Christmas period.

Morpeth's November 2024 crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 represents a 4.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.1, marking a slight downward trend. However, this remains significantly higher than the UK average, with the area's rate 14.5% above the national figure. On a daily basis, Morpeth experienced approximately 5 crimes per day in November—a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the ongoing presence of crime in the built-up area. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 115 residents reported a crime, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the local population. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it provides a tangible sense of how often crime occurs within their community. Morpeth's population of 17,650 means that each resident faces a 0.087% chance of experiencing a crime in any given month, a rate that, while not extreme, is higher than the UK average. The comparison to the national picture reveals that Morpeth's crime profile is shaped by factors distinct from larger urban centres, such as the influence of seasonal events and the unique dynamics of a smaller, historic town. These insights help contextualise the data for local residents, offering a clearer picture of how Morpeth's crime trends align—or diverge—from the broader UK context.