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

Ashton-in-Makerfield's December 2024 crime profile reveals a marked dominance of violent crimes over property crimes, a shift that may reflect seasonal patterns and local dynamics. With a total crime rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents—93% below the UK average of 7.1—the area continues to demonstrate a strong safety record. The breakdown of crimes shows that violence and sexual offences accounted for 44.4% of all incidents, followed by other crime (11.1%) and anti-social behaviour (11.1%). This distribution contrasts with typical patterns observed in other built-up areas, where property crimes often dominate during the holiday season. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and social gatherings—may have influenced the balance between violent and property crimes. While the lower number of property crimes could be attributed to reduced retail activity and fewer opportunities for theft, the rise in violent crimes might be linked to increased social interactions and alcohol consumption in the area. However, the overall crime rate remains exceptionally low, suggesting that local factors such as community engagement or effective policing strategies may be mitigating risks. The area's built-up nature, with its mix of residential and commercial spaces, could contribute to this balance, though further analysis would be required to confirm specific correlations. The 93% gap between the area's crime rate and the UK average highlights a significant disparity, indicating that Ashton-in-Makerfield's safety measures are performing better than the national average. This could be due to a combination of factors, including a smaller population, lower socioeconomic disparities, or targeted initiatives aimed at reducing crime. The data also shows that violence and sexual offences remain 92% below the UK average, suggesting that the area's efforts in addressing violent crime have been particularly effective. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining current strategies while remaining vigilant to any emerging trends, particularly in the context of seasonal fluctuations. The low daily crime count—roughly zero incidents per day—further reinforces the area's safety, even as the month-on-month changes highlight the need for continued monitoring of specific categories such as other crime and robbery. Overall, the December 2024 data presents a compelling case for the effectiveness of local crime prevention efforts, even in the face of typical seasonal challenges.

December 2024 saw a marked shift in crime dynamics, with violent crimes (4 incidents) outnumbering property crimes (2 incidents) for the first time in recent months. This balance suggests a potential realignment in criminal activity, possibly influenced by seasonal factors such as reduced retail footfall and increased social gatherings during the festive period. Among month-on-month changes, other crime and robbery both increased by 100%, though these remain isolated incidents within the broader context of overall decline. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 75%, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 66.7%, indicating a possible reduction in disorderly conduct or property-related incidents. Violence and sexual offences in Ashton-in-Makerfield remain 92% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, highlighting the area's continued safety in this category. Residents may find reassurance in the low daily crime count—roughly zero incidents per day—though the increase in other crime and robbery warrants cautious monitoring. The 93% gap between the area's crime rate and the UK average also underscores the effectiveness of local measures in maintaining safety, even during periods of heightened social activity.

Ashton-in-Makerfield's December 2024 crime rate of 0.5 per 1,000 residents represents a 61.1% decline from November's 1.3 per 1,000, marking a significant reduction in criminal activity. This equates to one reported crime for every 1,947 residents over the month, a figure that underscores the area's low exposure to crime relative to national standards. The daily crime count—roughly zero incidents per day—further illustrates the subdued nature of criminal activity, particularly in a built-up area where population density might typically correlate with higher crime rates. When contextualised against the area's population of 17,524, the monthly exposure highlights that residents face a risk of crime that is 93% below the UK average. This sustained low level of crime, despite December's usual pressures from holiday shopping and social gatherings, suggests that local factors—such as community policing initiatives or environmental design—may be contributing to the area's safety profile. The combination of seasonal activity patterns and the relatively low population density of the built-up area could play a role in this trend, though further analysis would be needed to confirm specific drivers.