Guisborough Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Guisborough's December 2023 crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents places it 4.2% above the UK average, a small but statistically significant divergence. This rate, while modest compared to other urban centres, reflects a combination of local dynamics and national trends. The area's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences (29.6% of total incidents), anti-social behaviour (16.2%), and public order offences (11.3%), all of which are shaped by the area's character as a built-up district within Redcar and Cleveland. The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and the holiday period—likely contributes to patterns observed in property crimes, particularly the 100% increase in burglary. This may be partially explained by the higher proportion of vacant homes during the festive season, a phenomenon common in smaller towns and commuter areas. Violent crime, however, remains below the UK average, with rates at 2.2 per 1,000 compared to the national 2.6. This contrast may stem from the area's relatively stable community structures and the absence of major nightlife hubs that typically drive such offences. The data also reveals an unexpected surge in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, both of which are significantly above UK averages. This could be linked to the area's proximity to industrial zones, where transient populations and economic pressures may exacerbate such issues. The seasonal context also appears to have had a mixed impact: while shoplifting increased by 30%, vehicle crime fell by 11%, due to reduced outdoor activity and the closure of certain retail premises. These findings illustrate the nuanced ways in which local geography, population demographics, and seasonal rhythms intersect to shape crime patterns.

December saw sharp increases in burglary (+100%), shoplifting (+30%), and public order offences (+23.1%), driven in part by seasonal factors such as empty homes during the Christmas period. Conversely, other theft and possession of weapons fell significantly, with the latter dropping by 50%. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.2 per 1,000, were 16% below the UK average, a contrast to the local surge in anti-social behaviour, which was 29% higher than the national rate. The crime mix shifted with property crimes (53) outpacing violent crimes (42) for the first time in recent months. Residents may find the 18.4% monthly decline in overall crime rates—down from 9.2 to 7.5 per 1,000—particularly relevant, though this masks the growing concern around property-related offences.

Guisborough's December 2023 crime rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents places it 4.2% above the UK average of 7.2, a slight but notable divergence. This follows a marked decline from the previous month, with crime rates falling by 18.4% to 9.2 per 1,000 in November. The monthly exposure figure—1 reported crime for every 133 residents—provides a tangible sense of risk, though it remains lower than the UK-wide average when scaled to population size. Daily crime counts averaged 5 incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, underscores the persistent presence of crime in local life. The reduction in overall crime may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic during the Christmas holidays, or the effectiveness of targeted policing efforts. However, the shift in crime type distribution—particularly the rise in burglary and shoplifting—suggests evolving patterns that warrant closer attention.