Ashton-in-Makerfield Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Ashton-in-Makerfield’s August 2024 crime rate of 0.6 per 1,000 residents places it 92.7% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the national trend of increasing crime in many urban and rural areas. This built-up area within St. Helens, home to 17,524 residents, presents a crime profile that diverges significantly from the UK average, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 70% of all reported crimes. This proportion, while remaining 85% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, suggests a focus on addressing interpersonal crime, which may be influenced by local policing strategies or community engagement efforts. The remaining 30% of crimes—comprising burglary, criminal damage, and drug-related offences—each recorded rates far below their respective UK averages, indicating a broader trend of low-risk environments. Seasonal factors may also play a role, as August is typically a peak holiday month, which could influence both crime opportunities and community dynamics. For instance, the 66.7% drop in burglary cases compared to July may be linked to increased home occupancy during the summer, or the presence of tourists who deter criminal activity. However, the persistence of violent crimes at seven incidents highlights the need for continued attention to this category, even in a low-crime area. The overall data suggests that Ashton-in-Makerfield’s crime profile is shaped by a combination of localized factors, including demographic characteristics, policing efficacy, and the area’s built environment, which may contribute to its consistently low crime rates relative to the UK as a whole.

The 66.7% reduction in burglary cases—falling from three in July to one in August—marks a significant shift in property crime trends. This decline may be attributed to heightened security awareness during the summer months, when seasonal tourism could inadvertently deter opportunistic offenders. Meanwhile, violent crimes accounted for 70% of all incidents, a proportion that remains 85% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Despite a 12.5% month-on-month decrease in violent crimes (from eight to seven), the absolute number of seven incidents still raises questions about local factors, such as the presence of community support networks or police initiatives targeting specific hotspots. The breakdown also reveals that non-violent crimes, including burglary, criminal damage, and drug-related offences, collectively constituted 30% of the total, with each category recording rates well below UK averages. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the burglary reduction, which may offer reassurance during the summer months when empty homes are more common. This contrast with the national profile of rising property crime in many areas further emphasizes the uniqueness of Ashton-in-Makerfield’s security context.

Ashton-in-Makerfield’s August 2024 crime rate of 0.6 per 1,000 residents represents a striking divergence from the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, positioning the area as an outlier in the national crime profile. This 92.7% deficit underscores a systemic difference in local dynamics, whether through robust community policing, demographic factors, or socioeconomic conditions. The daily crime context further illustrates the area’s low baseline: with 10 crimes reported over 31 days, the average daily figure is effectively zero, a statistic that would be rare even in the most secure urban centres. When scaled to the population of 17,524, the monthly exposure rate—1 crime per 1,752 residents—offers a tangible measure of safety that contrasts sharply with the UK’s broader experience. This figure suggests that, for an individual resident, the probability of encountering crime is exceptionally low, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a low-risk environment. The comparison also highlights the significance of localized factors: while UK-wide trends may reflect rising urban crime or shifting patterns in rural areas, Ashton-in-Makerfield’s data suggests a stable or even improving security context, possibly influenced by targeted interventions or community cohesion.