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

February 2024 marked a significant improvement in Ashton-in-Makerfield's crime profile, with the overall crime rate remaining at 0.7 per 1,000 residents — a figure 90.1% below the UK average of 7.1. This stark contrast to national levels underscores the area's status as one of the safest places in the UK. The breakdown of crimes reveals a clear dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 75% of all incidents, followed by public order and anti-social behaviour at 8.3% each. While the absolute numbers are low, the seasonal context of February — a winter month with limited outdoor activity — may have contributed to the subdued levels of property crime, which stood at just 1 incident. This aligns with patterns observed in other small urban areas, where community cohesion and limited commercial activity during colder months often correlate with reduced theft and burglary. The violent crime category, though 80% below the UK average, saw an 80% increase compared to January, suggesting potential shifts in local dynamics. However, this rise remains within the bounds of a very low base, and the overall trend continues to reflect the area's generally safe environment. The data also highlights the importance of local factors, such as the built-up nature of Ashton-in-Makerfield within St Helens, which may influence crime patterns through factors like community policing effectiveness and the density of residential areas.

February 2024 saw a sharp 80% rise in violence and sexual offences, increasing from 5 to 9 incidents — still 80% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000. This category accounted for 75% of all reported crimes, highlighting a persistent focus on interpersonal issues despite the overall low rate. Public order offences also rose by 100%, moving from zero to one incident, though this remains 80% below the UK average. Criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, decreasing from 2 to 1 incident, a shift that may reflect seasonal factors or reduced outdoor activity during February. The property crime category, which saw just one incident, was 80% below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, reinforcing the area's consistently low levels of theft and burglary. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the continued dominance of violent crime in the local crime picture, even as overall numbers remain exceptionally low.

Ashton-in-Makerfield's crime rate in February 2024 rose by 33.3% compared to January, moving from 0.5 to 0.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while notable, still places the area far below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show that over 29 days, only 0.41 crimes were recorded per day — a figure that, while not zero, reflects a very low level of activity. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 1,460 residents, illustrating a minimal risk for individuals in the area. Given the population of 17,524, this suggests that most residents are unlikely to encounter crime during the month. The data underscores that even with the increase, the area remains among the safest in the UK, with crime levels that are consistently orders of magnitude lower than national benchmarks.