Balsall Common Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a community of 8,281 residents, 37 crimes in July 2024 equate to roughly one incident every 224 residents. This crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents places Balsall Common 46.4% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a stark contrast to national trends. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (16 incidents, 43.2% of total), followed by burglary (4) and criminal damage and arson (4). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of summer months, when increased foot traffic during festivals and outdoor events may contribute to higher visibility of certain crime types. While violence remains a concern, the rate of 1.9 per 1,000 for this category is 33% below the UK average. Conversely, burglary in Balsall Common is 61% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, suggesting local factors—such as proximity to high-value properties or transient populations—may play a role. The relatively low rates of anti-social behaviour (8.1% of total crimes, 86% below UK average) and shoplifting (5.4% of total, 71% below UK average) indicate that community cohesion and local initiatives may be effective in mitigating these issues, though further analysis is needed to confirm this. The balance between property and violent crime is also notable: 43.2% of incidents were violent, compared to 25.8% for property crimes, a shift from earlier months where property crime typically dominates in similar areas. This suggests a combination of local dynamics, including the impact of seasonal events and resident demographics, which may require targeted interventions to address the higher proportion of violent incidents.

July 2024 saw a 300% increase in burglary compared to June, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This surge, though still below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, raises questions about potential vulnerabilities in local security measures or changes in criminal activity patterns. Simultaneously, public order offences more than doubled, with a 200% increase from 1 to 3 incidents, possibly linked to the summer festival season and increased public gatherings. By contrast, anti-social behaviour fell sharply by 66.7%, from 6 to 2 incidents, a decline that may reflect successful community engagement efforts or the temporary absence of certain groups during the summer break. Shoplifting also decreased by 33.3%, from 3 to 2 incidents, though this remains 71% below the UK average. The crime mix in Balsall Common shows a notable shift toward violent crime, with 43.2% of incidents classified as violence and sexual offences—significantly higher than the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000 for this category. This suggests that local factors, such as the area's demographic profile or the influence of nearby commercial zones, may be amplifying violent crime rates relative to the national picture. Residents may find the breakdown of violent crime by type (e.g. assault, harassment) particularly useful for understanding specific risks, though such granular data is not available in this report.

Balsall Common's crime rate in July 2024 (4.5 per 1,000) marked a 12% increase from June's 4.0 per 1,000, a modest upward trend that nonetheless keeps the area significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, this translated to an average of one crime reported for every 224 residents—a rate that, while low, highlights the need for vigilance during peak summer activity. Daily crime statistics show an average of 1.19 incidents per day, a figure that, while manageable, may feel more pronounced during weekends when festivals and events draw larger crowds. The 12% month-on-month rise was driven primarily by increases in burglary and public order offences, which may be attributed to seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic or the temporary absence of security personnel during holidays. In contrast, the UK-wide average of 8.4 per 1,000 in July suggests that Balsall Common remains an outlier in terms of safety, though this could be due to its smaller population and more tightly knit community structure. For residents, the 1-in-224 monthly exposure rate is a tangible reminder that while the area is generally safe, the concentration of incidents during specific times of the year—such as festivals—may require heightened awareness. This data also underscores the importance of local policing strategies that have contributed to the area's consistently low crime rates compared to national benchmarks.