Saltburn-by-the-Sea Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Saltburn-by-the-Sea's crime profile in August 2024 reveals stark contrasts with national trends. Violence and sexual offences, at 23 incidents (3.9 per 1,000 residents), were 45% above the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This category alone accounts for nearly 30% of all reported crimes, far exceeding its share in other areas. Anti-social behaviour (14 incidents) and shoplifting (11 incidents) also exceeded UK averages by 67% and 168% respectively, reflecting patterns consistent with coastal towns experiencing seasonal influxes of tourists and transient populations. The overall crime rate of 13.3 per 1,000 residents—62.2% above the UK average of 8.2—suggests systemic challenges beyond transient spikes. While August is typically a peak holiday month, the data does not indicate a direct link to tourism-related crimes like theft from the person, which were not elevated in this period. Instead, the concentration of violent crime and anti-social behaviour may relate to the area's proximity to major transport routes and the social dynamics of a seaside town with limited residential density. Property crimes, though lower than violent offences, still accounted for 46% of total reports, with shoplifting dominating this category. Seasonal factors may have contributed to this, as empty homes during the summer months could have increased opportunities for burglary. The absence of significant rises in vehicle crime or burglary suggests that other local factors—such as the town's character as a mixed-use coastal community—may be more influential than typical seasonal patterns.

August 2024 saw unprecedented surges in specific crime categories. Shoplifting alone increased by 1000% compared to July, jumping from 1 to 11 incidents—a shift that may reflect heightened retail activity during the summer months or targeted criminal behaviour in high-traffic areas. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson rose 600%, with incidents increasing from 1 to 7, potentially linked to the town's seasonal changes in property occupancy. These dramatic increases contrast with a 66.7% decrease in 'other crime' and a 25% drop in public order offences, which fell from 4 to 3. The violent crime category, already elevated, saw a 45% gap above the UK average, raising questions about local factors such as the town's proximity to transport hubs or the social mix of its population. Vehicle crime doubled from 2 to 6 incidents, though this remains below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. For residents, the most striking data point is the 168% gap between Saltburn's shoplifting rate and the UK average, suggesting targeted interventions may be warranted in retail zones. The overall shift in crime mix—violent crimes now accounting for 29.5% of total reports compared to 18.0% for property crimes—indicates a more pronounced focus on interpersonal offences than usual. This divergence from typical coastal crime profiles, where theft from the person is more common, may reflect specific policing priorities or unmet community needs.

The crime rate in August 2024 (13.3 per 1,000) represents an 85.8% increase from the previous month's rate of 7.2 per 1,000, marking one of the most significant month-on-month jumps in recent records. This escalation translates to approximately 3 crimes reported per day in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, a figure that, when scaled to the local population, means one in every 75 residents experienced a reported crime over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is higher than the national average, though no direct UK comparison is available for daily or monthly figures. The population context further highlights the disparity: with 5,864 residents, the 78 total crimes recorded equate to a rate that is 62.2% above the UK's 8.2 per 1,000. This gap is most pronounced in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, where local rates are 45% and 67% above national averages respectively. While the previous month's rate was already elevated, the August figures suggest a compounding effect of seasonal and local factors. The daily crime count, though seemingly low in absolute terms, becomes more concerning when considered in relation to the town's size and the concentration of specific offence types. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in areas with high retail footfall and transient populations, as the data indicates a persistent challenge in managing violent and disorderly incidents.