Knowle and Dorridge Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Knowle and Dorridge continued to demonstrate a safer environment in September 2023, with a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents — 48.8% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure reflects a consistent trend in the built-up area within Solihull, where crime has remained significantly lower than national benchmarks. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (27 incidents, 33.8% of total), followed by burglary (13, 16.3%) and vehicle crime (9, 11.3%). The seasonal context of September, marked by the return to school and university freshers, may have influenced patterns in violent crime and public order offences, though the area’s overall safety remains starkly contrasted with the UK average. Violence and sexual offences in the area were 49% below the UK rate, highlighting a marked divergence in local crime dynamics. The low rate of anti-social behaviour (7.5% of total crimes) and theft from the person (absent from the breakdown) further suggest a community profile less prone to opportunistic crime compared to more densely populated or tourist-heavy areas. This data aligns with Solihull’s broader reputation as a commuter town with lower urban crime pressures, though the presence of burglary above the UK average (119% higher) indicates specific vulnerabilities in residential security. The month’s crime picture remains shaped by its suburban character, where property crime and vehicle-related incidents are more prevalent than in city centres, yet violent crime remains constrained.

September 2023 saw a 43.8% decrease in vehicle crime, dropping from 16 to 9 incidents — the largest single-category reduction. This aligns with the seasonal transition, as cooler weather and shorter evenings may have reduced outdoor activity and associated vehicle-related crimes. Robbery rates also fell by 50%, from 2 to 1 incident, suggesting a continued effectiveness in local policing or community engagement efforts. Conversely, other theft increased by 150% (2 to 5 incidents), indicating a potential shift in criminal focus toward smaller-scale property crimes. Public order offences rose by 60% (5 to 8), a notable uptick that may reflect the influx of students and younger residents during the freshers’ period. Burglary, though still relatively low at 13 incidents, remained 119% above the UK average (0.3 per 1,000), pointing to specific vulnerabilities in residential security that may require targeted intervention. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences, at 27 incidents (1.4 per 1,000), were 49% below the UK rate, reinforcing the area’s comparative safety in this category. These shifts underscore the importance of contextual factors — such as seasonal transitions and local demographics — in shaping crime patterns, even within a broadly low-crime environment.

The crime rate in Knowle and Dorridge dropped by 11.1% from 4.6 per 1,000 in August to 4.1 per 1,000 in September 2023, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This equates to roughly 3 crimes reported per day — a figure that, while modest, remains visible to residents in a community of 19,557 people. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 244 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to population size. This context is critical for understanding the area’s safety profile: while 4.1 per 1,000 is a low rate by national standards, the 119% above UK average for burglary highlights localized risks. The daily crime count, though small, may be more impactful in a community where residents are familiar with their neighbours and local routines. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that the 80 total crimes reported represent a manageable burden for a built-up area with strong local services and infrastructure. These figures suggest that while Knowle and Dorridge is not immune to crime, its overall profile is shaped by a combination of suburban tranquillity, effective community policing, and the absence of high-risk urban dynamics typically associated with higher crime rates.