Woodville Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 saw an unexpected surge in shoplifting crimes in Woodville, rising 300% compared to October despite the area's overall crime rate remaining 15.8% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000 residents. This anomaly contrasts with the usual seasonal patterns, as the built-up area within South Derbyshire typically experiences lower retail crime during the post-Christmas lull. The spike in shoplifting—now at 4 incidents—occurred alongside a 12% above UK average rate for violence and sexual offences, which remained the most common crime category (45.3% of total). The area's crime profile this month was shaped by November's unique seasonal dynamics: the early shopping rush around Black Friday, extended dark evenings, and the proximity of Bonfire Night, which historically correlates with increased public order incidents. However, these factors did not manifest as expected, with public order crimes falling 25% month-on-month to 3 incidents. The shift in crime mix was also notable, as property crimes (21 incidents) accounted for 39.6% of total offences—lower than the 54.7% share for violent crimes—suggesting a temporary realignment in criminal activity patterns. This deviation from typical November trends may reflect localized factors, such as temporary retail promotions or changes in community activity. The overall crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents places Woodville firmly in the safer half of UK built-up areas, with only 8338 residents exposed to 1 crime per 157 individuals over the course of the month.

The most striking movement in November 2024 was the 300% increase in shoplifting, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This sharp rise defied expectations for a built-up area in South Derbyshire, where shoplifting typically aligns with the Christmas shopping season rather than the early November period. Concurrently, theft from the person—rarely reported in Woodville—jumped 100% to 1 incident, a category that is 52% below the UK average. These increases contrasted with declines in other areas: vehicle crime fell 25% (from 4 to 3 incidents), and drugs-related offences dropped 33.3% (from 3 to 2). The crime mix also shifted significantly, with violent crimes (24 incidents) outpacing property crimes (21 incidents) for the first time in recent months. This shift was particularly notable given that property crimes typically dominate in areas with high retail activity. Woodville's violence and sexual offences rate (2.9 per 1,000) was 12% above the UK average, a figure that is unusual for a non-urban area. Meanwhile, other theft—now at 8 incidents—surged 100% compared to October, placing it 82% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. For residents, the most immediately relevant finding was the 300% rise in shoplifting, which may prompt increased vigilance at local retail outlets during the Black Friday period.

Woodville's crime rate in November 2024 (6.4 per 1,000 residents) marked a 7.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.8 per 1,000, continuing a trend of declining crime in the built-up area. This reduction, though modest, places Woodville's current rate 15.8% below the UK average, a margin that has been consistent for several months. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day in November, a figure that is lower than the typical 2.5-3 crimes per day observed in similar-sized South Derbyshire communities during the same period. Over the course of the month, residents faced a 1-in-157 chance of being directly affected by crime, a statistic that is better than the UK average of 1-in-130 for built-up areas. When compared to the previous month, the 7.0% decline suggests a stabilization in crime trends following a brief uptick in October. This stability is particularly evident in vehicle crime, which fell 25% to 3 incidents, and public order offences, which also dropped 25% to 3 incidents. These declines, coupled with the overall rate remaining below the UK average, reinforce Woodville's position as a relatively safe built-up area within South Derbyshire. However, the 12% above UK average rate for violence and sexual offences highlights a persistent challenge in maintaining low levels of violent crime, a category that typically accounts for a smaller proportion of offences in non-urban settings.