Guisborough Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 marked a significant shift in Guisborough's crime profile, with the area's overall crime rate standing at 8.0 per 1,000 residents — 12.7% above the UK average of 7.1. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (36.2% of total crimes), anti-social behaviour (16.5%), and shoplifting (13.2%). This urbanised built-up area within Redcar and Cleveland exhibits a pattern consistent with other industrial towns, where seasonal factors and local demographics influence crime trends. The winter month of February typically sees reduced outdoor activity, which may partly explain the lower incidence of vehicle crime compared to warmer months. However, the high rate of violence and sexual offences contrasts with the pre-spring lull usually observed in such areas, suggesting potential pressures from social dynamics or environmental factors. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average in some categories, remains a persistent issue, particularly in high-footfall areas. Shoplifting, though declining from January's 26 incidents to 20, still remains 104% above the UK average, potentially reflecting the town's retail presence and the seasonal impact of post-Christmas spending patterns. The balance between property and violent crime is skewed, with property crimes accounting for 36.8% of total incidents — a figure that may be influenced by the area's mix of residential and commercial spaces. These statistics illustrate a community grappling with specific challenges, where targeted interventions could address the most pressing issues without overgeneralising the underlying causes.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 1,000% increase in burglary, rising from a single incident in January to 11 reported cases. This spike, while unusual, aligns with historical patterns in industrial towns where economic hardship or seasonal transitions may heighten vulnerability. Simultaneously, vehicle crime doubled from zero to two incidents, though this remains 77% below the UK average. The most notable decrease was in shoplifting, which fell by 23.1% to 20 incidents — still significantly above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This decline may reflect the impact of cold weather on retail footfall, though the rate remains alarmingly high for the area. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 38.5% to 25 incidents, a reduction that could be linked to shorter daylight hours limiting public gatherings. However, violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, with 55 incidents — 16% above the UK average. This suggests ongoing challenges in addressing interpersonal crime, which may be exacerbated by factors such as housing shortages or limited community support networks. The stark contrast between the UK average and local rates in categories like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour underscores the need for tailored strategies that address the unique characteristics of Guisborough's built-up environment.

The crime rate in Guisborough rose sharply from 6.3 per 1,000 in January to 8.0 per 1,000 in February, marking a 26.7% increase. This jump, while significant, must be contextualised within the local landscape: over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 125 residents, a figure that may feel more tangible to residents than abstract statistics. On a daily basis, Guisborough experienced an average of 5 crimes per day — a rate that, while lower than some major urban centres, remains above the UK average. The comparison to the UK highlights specific disparities: shoplifting is 104% above the national average, a figure that may be explained by the area's retail density and the seasonal impact of post-holiday shopping. Conversely, vehicle crime is 77% below the UK average, reflecting the limited number of parked vehicles in residential areas during winter. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Guisborough's crime rate, though higher than the UK average, is not uniformly distributed across categories. This suggests that local factors — such as the town's industrial heritage and current economic conditions — play a more significant role in shaping crime patterns than national trends. Residents may find the monthly exposure figure (1 in 125) particularly relevant when assessing personal safety, though this is an aggregate measure and does not reflect individual risk.