Rotherham Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rotherham's overall crime rate in December 2024 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 12.7% above the UK average of 7.1. This marks a continuation of a trend observed in recent months, with the local authority district consistently recording rates higher than the national benchmark. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (36% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (13%) and criminal damage and arson (7.8%). These figures are consistent with seasonal patterns typically seen in December, including increased retail activity, darker evenings, and the presence of empty homes during the holiday period. The higher-than-average rates for violent crimes, particularly violence and sexual offences, may partly explain the elevated overall crime rate. This category alone was 13% above the UK average, reflecting a persistent challenge in addressing personal safety concerns in the area. Anti-social behaviour also remained elevated, 6% above the UK average, potentially linked to the increased socialising and alcohol consumption associated with the festive season. Meanwhile, burglary rates were significantly higher than the national average, 94% above, which could be influenced by the area’s mix of residential and commercial properties, some of which may be left unoccupied during the holidays. These patterns highlight the need for targeted interventions during the winter months, when crime dynamics shift due to environmental and social factors.

December 2024 saw notable month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Drugs-related offences increased by 31.7%, rising from 60 to 79 incidents, a shift that may reflect heightened social interactions during the festive period. Possession of weapons also rose by 20.8%, with 29 reported cases, suggesting a potential link to increased alcohol consumption and associated conflicts. Burglary rates climbed by 15.8%, from 146 to 169 incidents, possibly exacerbated by the emptying of homes during the holiday season. In contrast, bicycle theft fell by 50%, from 10 to 5 cases, a decline that may be attributed to reduced outdoor activity and the use of indoor storage during colder weather. Public order offences dropped by 33%, from 188 to 126, due to the closure of some venues and the redirection of nightlife activity to licensed premises. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 28.2%, from 400 to 287 incidents, which could indicate a temporary reduction in public disturbances during the festive season. The rate of burglary in Rotherham was 94% above the UK average, highlighting a significant local disparity in property crime. This contrast with the 100% below UK average for theft from the person, where only 10 incidents were reported, underscores the varying nature of crime across different categories.

The crime rate in Rotherham for December 2024 (8.0 per 1,000 residents) represents a 12.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.2 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, aligns with the seasonal context of December, which often sees a reduction in certain types of crime as communities focus on festive activities. On a daily basis, Rotherham recorded approximately 71 crimes per day in December, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the pace at which incidents occur in the local authority district. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 125 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places the area in a context where residents are statistically more likely to encounter crime than the UK average. This is particularly evident in categories such as burglary, which was 94% above the UK average, and violence and sexual offences, which were 13% above the national benchmark. These disparities highlight the unique challenges faced by Rotherham compared to other parts of the UK. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates that while the overall crime rate has decreased from the previous month, the area still maintains a higher-than-average profile in several key categories. This contrast between the month-on-month reduction and the persistent elevation in specific crime types underscores the combination of local and national factors shaping Rotherham’s crime picture.