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

Marske-by-the-Sea, a coastal town within Redcar and Cleveland, recorded a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in May 2024, placing it 19% below the UK average of 8.4. This marks a significant deviation from the national trend, with the area’s crime profile shaped by its small, tightly knit community and proximity to the North Sea. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.7% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (22.5%) and anti-social behaviour (16.3%). The stark contrast between Marske’s crime rate and the UK average may reflect the area’s lower population density, limited commercial activity, and strong local policing presence. Seasonal factors in May—such as bank holidays and extended evenings—may have contributed to increased socialising in public spaces, influencing the prevalence of violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the overall rate remains lower than the UK average, suggesting that community cohesion and targeted interventions may play a role in mitigating crime. The data also highlights shoplifting as a significant concern, with local rates 134% above the UK average, which could be linked to the area’s retail presence despite its smaller scale. This unexpected discrepancy in shoplifting figures warrants further examination, as it contrasts with the generally lower crime levels observed in other categories.

May 2024 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime types, with anti-social behaviour surging by 300% (from 2 to 8 incidents) compared to April. This jump, while statistically dramatic, may be partly explained by the month’s bank holidays and longer evenings, which could have increased informal gatherings in public spaces. Bicycle theft also doubled from zero to two incidents, a 100% increase, raising questions about potential vulnerabilities in local security measures for parked cycles. Conversely, public order offences fell by 71.4% (from 7 to 2), and vehicle crime dropped by the same margin, reflecting reduced foot traffic or seasonal shifts in activity. Shoplifting rates in Marske-by-the-Sea were 134% above the UK average, despite the area’s modest retail footprint. This anomaly could indicate specific vulnerabilities in local stores, such as limited surveillance or staffing during off-peak hours. Burglary rates also exceeded the UK average by 94%.6 per 1,000 remains relatively low. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, which may require community engagement strategies to address underlying social tensions.

The crime rate in Marske-by-the-Sea fell by 12.5% from 7.8 per 1,000 in April to 6.8 per 1,000 in May, reflecting a consistent trend of declining crime over recent months. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of two crimes per day in May, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for vigilance in maintaining local safety. When scaled to the population of 7,216 residents, the monthly exposure rate means that one crime occurred for every 147 residents over the course of May—a statistic that, while not alarming, highlights the importance of community-based prevention efforts. The comparison to the UK average further illustrates the area’s unique position: while Marske’s overall crime rate is lower than the national average, specific categories like shoplifting and burglary deviate significantly, suggesting that local factors—such as retail dynamics or property density—may influence crime patterns differently than in larger urban centres. This nuanced picture reinforces the value of targeted interventions tailored to the area’s specific challenges, rather than adopting broad, one-size-fits-all approaches.