Ashton-in-Makerfield Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ashton-in-Makerfield's crime rate in July 2023 stood at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 91.6% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area's consistently low crime profile, which aligns with its character as a relatively compact built-up area within St. Helens. The most prevalent crime types were criminal damage and arson (23.1% of total incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour and public order offences (15.4% each). These figures suggest a focus on property-related and community-focused crime, which may reflect the area's mix of residential and commercial zones. Seasonal factors in July—peak summer, school holidays, and local festivals—likely influence crime patterns, though the overall rate remains exceptionally low. The absence of violent crimes in the breakdown (only 1 reported) further reinforces the area's safety record compared to national trends, where violence and sexual offences typically account for a larger share of reported incidents. This data may indicate strong community policing efforts, limited opportunities for property crime due to low population density, or a combination of factors that contribute to the area's unique crime profile.

July 2023 saw three specific crime types increase by 100% month-on-month: burglary, shoplifting, and 'other crime'. This uptick follows a 75% reduction in violence and sexual offences (from 4 to 1) and a 50% drop in public order offences (from 4 to 2). While the overall crime rate remained low, the rise in burglary and shoplifting may reflect increased foot traffic during summer festivals or changes in local retail patterns. Anti-social behaviour in the area was 93% below the UK average (0.1 vs 1.4 per 1,000), suggesting effective community engagement strategies. The category of 'criminal damage and arson' also showed a significant gap from the UK average (0.2 vs 0.6 per 1,000), indicating that property damage remains a local concern but at a much lower scale than nationally. These figures provide a nuanced picture of crime dynamics, where certain categories fluctuate seasonally while others maintain consistent underperformance relative to national benchmarks. For residents, the 50% month-on-month decline in public order offences offers a tangible example of how local initiatives might be addressing community-specific challenges.

The July 2023 crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 represents a 7.5% decrease from June 2023's 0.8 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend that has characterised the area in recent months. On a daily basis, the 13 reported crimes spread over 31 days equate to roughly 0 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the area's exceptionally low crime frequency. When considering the population context, the monthly exposure of 1 crime per 1,348 residents highlights the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. This compares to the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, which would equate to over 14 crimes per 1,000 residents in Ashton-in-Makerfield's population. The contrast becomes even more pronounced when examining specific categories: for instance, the UK average for public order offences is 0.6 per 1,000, whereas the area's rate was 0.1 per 1,000. This suggests that local factors—such as community policing, lower population density, or demographic characteristics—may be contributing to the area's divergence from national trends. For residents, the combination of a stable crime rate and significant underperformance relative to UK averages reinforces the perception of Ashton-in-Makerfield as a relatively safe area within the broader St. Helens region.