South Derbyshire Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 saw South Derbyshire's crime rate remain lower than the UK average, with 5.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. This figure is 25.3% below the UK's 7.5 per 1,000, a gap consistent with the area's historical position as a relatively safe region. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (18.0%) and public order offences (9.1%). These patterns align with the district's mix of rural and semi-urban landscapes, where high-traffic areas and community hubs may contribute to incidents of violence and disorder. Seasonal factors also played a role, as Easter and spring weather typically bring increased outdoor activity, potentially influencing crime dynamics. Property crimes remained low compared to the UK average, with shoplifting rates at 58% below national levels. This may reflect the area's limited retail density and strong community policing efforts. The overall crime mix suggests a balance between proactive local measures and the inherent challenges of managing a diverse geographic footprint.

April 2023 featured stark contrasts in crime trends, with robbery rates surging by 700% compared to March, jumping from one incident to eight. This spike, though still low in absolute terms, warrants attention given its magnitude. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour increased by 52.6%, reflecting a rise from 78 to 119 incidents, potentially linked to seasonal gatherings or heightened community interactions during Easter. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 66.7%, dropping from three to one incident—a shift that may indicate improved security measures or reduced outdoor activity during colder spring days. The crime profile also revealed several categories far below UK averages: shoplifting (58% below), other theft (46% below), and criminal damage (34% below). These discrepancies could stem from South Derbyshire's lower population density and fewer commercial hotspots compared to more urban regions. The only exceptions were vehicle crime (11% above UK average) and robbery (11% above), which may be attributed to commuter traffic patterns or targeted opportunities in specific locations.

April's crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 5.4% increase from March's 5.4, though the overall figure remains well below the UK average. This monthly shift translates to roughly 22 crimes per day in South Derbyshire, a rate that, while stable, highlights the importance of sustained community engagement. Over the course of April, one crime was reported for every 177 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK's typically higher density areas, underscores the district's relatively low-risk profile. The population context further clarifies these figures: with 117,493 residents, even modest increases in specific crime types can have localized impacts. For instance, the 700% rise in robbery, though still small in absolute terms, could signal emerging patterns in targeted areas. Conversely, the steep declines in bicycle theft and shoplifting suggest that existing measures—such as CCTV coverage or community awareness campaigns—may be yielding measurable results. These comparisons illustrate how South Derbyshire's unique demographic and geographic characteristics shape its crime profile, even as national trends provide a broader benchmark for analysis.