Rotherham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2023, Rotherham recorded 2,561 crimes, translating to a rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents — 16.3% higher than the UK average of 8.0. This figure, when contextualised for a population of 276,595, underscores the scale of activity in the area. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 35.2% of all reported incidents (901 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.7%) and public order offences (9.8%). These patterns align with Rotherham's character as a mixed urban district with a significant retail and educational presence. The seasonal context of September — back-to-school and university freshers — may have contributed to increases in certain categories, such as anti-social behaviour, which is 12% above the UK average. Meanwhile, the dominance of violent crime over property crime (35.2% vs 25.8%) suggests a local dynamic where interpersonal conflict plays a larger role than theft or burglary. This could be influenced by factors such as the area's socioeconomic profile, the density of public spaces, or the timing of events that draw large crowds. The rate of other theft — 0.5 per 1,000 — is 17% below the UK average, reflecting effective local policing strategies or community initiatives that have reduced opportunities for such crimes. However, the elevated rates of public order offences (45% above the UK average) and criminal damage (33% above) indicate persistent challenges in managing disorder and vandalism, which may be linked to the area's high-density housing and transient populations. These findings, while data-driven, must be interpreted with caution, as they do not establish causation but rather highlight patterns that could inform future interventions.

September saw a 63.6% increase in theft from the person, rising from 11 to 18 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened activity in public spaces during the early autumn months. Conversely, robbery fell by 39.4% compared to August, with 20 reported cases — a decline that could be linked to increased police visibility in high-risk areas. The breakdown of crime types reveals striking disparities: violence and sexual offences in Rotherham are 20% above the UK average, while other theft is 17% below. This contrast highlights the complexity of local crime patterns, with property-related crimes showing mixed trends. For instance, shoplifting rose by 9.3% (150 to 164), due to the return of students and shoppers to the area. Meanwhile, bicycle theft — a category typically associated with student populations — fell by 100% below the UK average, a figure that may warrant closer scrutiny given the area's educational institutions.

Rotherham's crime rate in September 2023 fell by 5.4% compared to the previous month, dropping from 9.8 to 9.3 per 1,000 residents. This decline, though modest, reflects a shift in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 85 crimes per day in September, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the scale of activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 108 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents in a community of 276,595. When scaled to population size, this rate highlights both the challenges and the need for targeted interventions. The reduction from the prior month may align with seasonal patterns, such as the start of the academic term, which could have influenced foot traffic and policing priorities. However, the overall rate remains 16.3% above the UK average, indicating that Rotherham continues to face a crime profile distinct from the national context.