Knowle and Dorridge Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 saw Knowle and Dorridge maintain a significantly lower crime rate than the UK average, with 3.8 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 7.1. This built-up area within Solihull, characterised by a mix of residential and commercial properties, experienced a crime profile skewed towards property-related offences, which accounted for 55% of all reported crimes. Violence and sexual offences formed the largest single category at 31.1% of total crimes, followed by vehicle crime at 25.7%. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with limited outdoor activity—likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate, as colder weather and shorter daylight hours typically reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the area's proximity to major transport routes may explain the high rate of vehicle crime, which stands at 127% above the UK average. The relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour (81% below UK average) and public order offences (80% below UK average) suggest a generally stable community environment, though these figures may reflect underreporting rather than an absence of such incidents. The combination of a compact built-up area and a moderate population size (19,557 residents) creates a unique dynamic where property crimes are more concentrated, while violent crimes remain below the national benchmark. This pattern is consistent with other commuter-oriented suburbs where commercial activity drives property crime but community cohesion limits more severe offences.

February 2024 marked a notable shift in crime patterns, with shoplifting surging by 300% compared to January as the number of incidents rose from 1 to 4. This spike, though still low in absolute terms (0.2 per 1,000 residents), may reflect increased retail activity during the pre-spring period or targeted opportunistic behaviour. Conversely, public order offences dropped by 80% (from 10 to 2), potentially linked to reduced foot traffic in winter months and fewer social gatherings. Vehicle crime remains a persistent concern, with rates 127% above the UK average (1.0 vs 0.4 per 1,000). This discrepancy may be explained by the area's connectivity to major roads and the presence of commercial vehicles. Burglary decreased by 16.7% (from 6 to 5), a modest but consistent trend that could indicate improved security measures or a natural fluctuation in seasonal crime patterns. The crime mix also shows a slight shift towards property crimes, with 55% of all incidents falling into this category compared to 45% for violent crimes. This balance differs from the UK average, where property crimes typically account for a smaller share due to higher urban density and different policing priorities. Residents may find the 1.2 per 1,000 rate for violence and sexual offences particularly noteworthy, as it is 52% below the UK average—a figure that could reflect effective community policing or the area's demographic composition.

The crime rate in February 2024 (3.8 per 1,000) represents a 13.9% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.3.5% below the UK average. This monthly rise, while statistically significant, is likely within the normal range of fluctuation for a built-up area with a relatively stable population. On a daily basis, Knowle and Dorridge experienced approximately 3 crimes per day over the 29-day period, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 264 residents over the course of the month. When compared to the UK average, this exposure rate is exceptionally low, highlighting the area's continued status as a relatively safe environment. The population context further underscores this safety: with 19,557 residents, the monthly crime total of 74 equates to a rate that would be expected to occur in about 2.5% of households, assuming even distribution—a figure that is significantly lower than the UK average. This comparative advantage is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour (81% below UK average) and public order offences (80% below UK average), though the area's vehicle crime rate remains an outlier. These figures collectively illustrate a community that, while not immune to crime, maintains a level of safety that is markedly better than the national benchmark, likely due to a combination of local policing strategies, community engagement, and the area's physical characteristics as a compact, mixed-use suburb.