South Holland Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

December 2023 marked a continuation of South Holland's consistently low crime profile, with an overall rate of 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—36.1% below the UK average. The most frequent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.1% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.9%) and criminal damage and arson (7.6%). These figures reflect a broader pattern of lower violent crime rates in the area compared to the national average, with violence and sexual offences in South Holland at 2.1 per 1,000 (20% below UK levels). The seasonal context of December—characterised by darker evenings, increased retail activity, and holiday-related absences—likely influenced crime patterns, though the exact interplay between these factors remains complex. Anti-social behaviour, which often peaks during festive periods, remained significantly below the UK average, suggesting community resilience or effective local interventions. The relatively low levels of property crime, including vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000, 78% below UK average) and burglary (0.3 per 1,000, 14% below UK average), indicate that South Holland's infrastructure and residential areas may have features that deter such offences, such as well-lit public spaces or community engagement initiatives. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime (40% increase from November) highlights a potential vulnerability in the area's transport networks or parking facilities, warranting further scrutiny. The overall data illustrates a district that is generally secure but not immune to fluctuations in crime rates influenced by external factors such as seasonal changes and local events.

December 2023 saw significant increases in vehicle crime and burglary, with the former rising by 40% (10 to 14 incidents) and the latter climbing 33.3% (21 to 28). These upward trends contrast with sharp declines in shoplifting (-47.7%) and other crime (-47.1%), suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 45.1% of all crimes, but this rate was 20% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Vehicle crime in South Holland was 78% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 59% deficit in shoplifting. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high vehicle turnover, as the local rate for this category is significantly lower than the national figure. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings and holiday-related disruptions—may have contributed to the rise in vehicle-related offences.

South Holland's crime rate in December 2023 dropped by 15.4% compared to the previous month, falling from 5.5 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This decline positions the area as one of the safer local authority districts in the UK, with a rate 36.1% below the national average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 15 crimes per day in December, a figure that aligns with typical patterns observed in similar-sized districts during the festive season. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 216 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area's overall low crime profile. When scaled to South Holland's population of 99,298, this means fewer than 500 residents experienced a crime directly, highlighting the relatively secure environment for most households. The drop from November to December may partly explain the reduced visibility of crime during the holiday period, though this could also be influenced by seasonal factors such as shorter evenings and increased community activity.