The crime rate in Featherstone (South Staffordshire), a Built-Up Area (BUA) with a population of 6,468, is currently 98.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably higher than the United Kingdom’s average of 91.6 per 1,000. Coupled with a safety score of 72/100, which is below the UK average of 79, this suggests a heightened level of concern regarding safety within the area.
Determining the 'underlying causes' of this elevated crime rate, particularly concerning violence and sexual offences, is complex and requires careful consideration. The provided data doesn't offer specific details on the reasons behind the statistics. However, several factors common to areas experiencing higher crime rates could potentially be at play in Featherstone. These are not definitive explanations, but rather potential contributing elements.
Firstly, the relatively small population size (6,468) means that even a small number of incidents can significantly impact the crime rate per 1,000. A larger population would dilute the effect of the same number of crimes.
Secondly, socio-economic factors often correlate with crime rates. While the data doesn't specify Featherstone’s socio-economic profile, it's plausible that factors such as unemployment, poverty, or limited access to education and opportunities could contribute to increased risk-taking behaviours and, consequently, crime.
Thirdly, community cohesion and social support networks play a vital role in crime prevention. A lack of these, or issues of social isolation, can create an environment where crime is more likely to occur.
Finally, reporting rates can influence crime statistics. It's possible that Featherstone has a higher reporting rate for certain crimes, which would artificially inflate the statistics, though this is speculative without further data. It is also important to note that the safety score of 72/100 indicates that residents perceive the area as less safe than the national average, which might be related to these higher crime rates.