The crime statistics for Waddington, a built-up area (BUA) in Ribble Valley, are significantly influenced by its small population of 1558. Understanding this relationship requires examining the data provided. Waddington’s crime rate stands at 23.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a markedly safer environment. Furthermore, Waddington boasts a safety score of 95 out of 100, far exceeding the UK average of 79.
It’s important to understand that a lower population generally means fewer opportunities for crime to occur simply due to the reduced number of potential victims and offenders. However, population size isn't the sole determinant of crime rates. Factors such as socio-economic conditions, community cohesion, and the effectiveness of local policing also play a vital role. While we don’t have specific data on these factors for Waddington, its consistently low crime rate suggests a positive combination of these elements.
The low crime rate and high safety score aren't necessarily indicative of a lack of crime altogether, but rather that the volume of incidents is exceptionally small relative to the population. Even a few incidents can disproportionately affect crime rates in a small area. For example, two incidents of theft would represent a rate of 1.28 per 1,000, a much higher relative figure than in a larger area with, say, ten incidents.
Comparing Waddington's statistics to the UK average highlights the exceptional safety of the area. The difference in crime rates demonstrates a significantly reduced risk of experiencing crime for residents. This is likely a combination of factors related to the rural nature of the area, the strong sense of community, and potentially effective local policing strategies. It's crucial to remember these statistics represent a snapshot in time and continued vigilance is necessary to maintain this positive trend.