Marske-by-the-Sea Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In March 2024, Marske-by-the-Sea recorded a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 1.3% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly two crimes for every 7,216 residents, with the most common incidents being violence and sexual offences (28.6% of all crimes), shoplifting (21.4%), and anti-social behaviour (16.1%). The area’s coastal location and seasonal transition to spring may partly explain patterns in crime, as longer evenings and the clocks changing could influence both offender activity and victim exposure. Violence and sexual offences, though higher than the UK average for this category, remain relatively low at 2.2 per 1,000. Conversely, shoplifting and burglary rates are strikingly elevated compared to the UK, with shoplifting at 1.7 per 1,000 (179% above the UK average) and burglary at 0.8 per 1,000 (150% above). These figures may reflect the area’s retail presence, particularly during the post-Christmas period and the early months of the year when foot traffic and tourism are active. Anti-social behaviour, which increased by 125% month-on-month, could be linked to social dynamics in the built-up area, exacerbated by the start of the school year or local events. The seasonal context of March—when evenings lengthen and clocks change—may also contribute to shifts in criminal activity, with offenders capitalising on increased visibility and altered routines. While the overall rate is only marginally higher than the UK average, specific categories highlight vulnerabilities that warrant attention, particularly in retail and residential areas.

March 2024 saw dramatic increases in certain crime types, with burglary rising by 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents) and criminal damage and arson doubling (from 2 to 6). These jumps suggest a significant shift in criminal activity, possibly driven by seasonal factors such as the start of spring or increased opportunities in residential areas. Anti-social behaviour also surged by 125%, reaching 9 incidents, which may indicate heightened social tensions or the impact of local events. In contrast, other theft decreased by 33.3%, from 3 to 2 incidents, though this remains well below the UK average for the category. The shoplifting rate of 1.7 per 1,000 (179% above the UK average) is particularly concerning for local retailers, as it reflects a marked disparity compared to national trends. This could be attributed to the area’s proximity to tourist routes or the presence of high-foot-traffic zones during peak shopping periods. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remain below the UK average for this type, at 2.2 per 1,000 (18% below). This contrast highlights the need for targeted interventions in retail and residential areas while maintaining vigilance in sectors where the area performs relatively well. The overall crime mix has shifted toward property-related offences, with property crimes (27 incidents) now comprising nearly half of all reported crimes, compared to violent crimes (16 incidents). This shift may reflect changing offender priorities or environmental factors, such as the timing of local events or the impact of weather on crime patterns.

The crime rate in March 2024 (7.8 per 1,000) represents a 47.2% increase compared to February’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant month-on-month rises in recent data. For residents, this translates to a daily risk of approximately two crimes per day, with one reported crime occurring for roughly every 129 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure, while low compared to major urban centres, underscores the importance of community vigilance in a built-up area with a relatively small population. The previous month’s rate was lower, suggesting that the March increase may be influenced by temporary factors such as the transition to spring, the start of the school year, or the timing of local events. When scaled to the area’s population of 7,216, the 56 reported crimes in March equate to a 7.8% chance of a resident being involved in a crime over the course of the month, though this is a statistical aggregate and not an individual risk. The UK-wide comparison reveals that while the overall rate is only marginally higher than the national average, specific categories like shoplifting and burglary are far above the UK average, indicating localised challenges that may require tailored responses. This contrast between the area’s overall performance and its specific crime type trends highlights the need for targeted strategies to address the most pressing issues without overgeneralising the broader picture.