Chiswell Green Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Chiswell Green’s crime rate in August 2024 stood at 3.8 per 1,000 residents, a figure 53.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This stark disparity highlights the area’s consistently low crime profile, shaped by its character as a built-up district within St Albans. The top crime category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 47.8% of all incidents, yet remained 33% below the UK average for that category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 13%, also significantly lower than the national rate of 1.4 per 1,000. These figures suggest a community where violent and disruptive crime are rare. Seasonal factors likely play a role in shaping these patterns: August, as a peak holiday month, may influence both crime types and reporting rates. The relatively low levels of property crime—other theft, criminal damage, and vehicle crime all below UK averages—may reflect the area’s compact, residential nature, which could limit opportunities for such offences. However, the presence of violent crime at 1.8 per 1,000, while still below the UK average, indicates that targeted interventions remain necessary. The broader UK context also matters: while Chiswell Green’s rate is exceptional, it sits within a national landscape where urban areas typically see higher rates. This contrast may be partly due to the area’s integration into St Albans, a town known for its historic character and relatively low population density, which could contribute to a safer environment. The seasonal context of August—peak tourism and holiday activity—may also influence crime patterns, though the data here shows a reduction in violent crime, linked to increased community presence or policing efforts during the summer months.

Violence and sexual offences decreased by 8.3% in August, dropping from 12 to 11 incidents. This reduction, while modest, aligns with the category’s 33% deficit compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Other theft also fell by 33.3%, from three to two cases, maintaining its 47% below the UK rate for that category. Conversely, public order offences surged by 100%, rising from zero to one incident—a spike that may reflect heightened summer activity in local spaces. Shoplifting, another category previously absent, now matches the UK average deficit of 72% (0.2 vs 0.7 per 1,000). The increase in public order crimes offers a concrete data point for residents: one additional incident in a month where most areas remain calm. This contrast between declines in violent crime and rises in lower-severity offences illustrates a shifting crime mix, with property-related issues remaining below national levels but social disorder incidents climbing. The 100% increase in shoplifting, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential seasonal trend linked to August’s status as a peak holiday month.

August 2024 saw a 21.0% increase in Chiswell Green’s crime rate compared to July, rising from 3.2 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents. While this marks a slight upward trend, the area remains 53.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day in August, a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s relatively small population of 6,029. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 262 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the local population, the 23 total crimes represent a manageable burden for community policing resources. This context is critical for residents assessing risk: while the 21% increase is notable, the overall rate remains in a historically low bracket compared to national benchmarks. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that most residents experience no direct impact from crime, with the majority of incidents concentrated in specific categories like violence and anti-social behaviour.