Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,676, the 50 crimes recorded in August 2024 equate to 0.75% of residents being directly involved in a crime. This rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents places Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook 8.5% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 42% of all reported incidents (21 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (18%) and anti-social behaviour (12%). This distribution contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 19% of all crimes. Seasonal factors may partly explain the elevated levels of violence, as August is a peak holiday month with increased foot traffic in the area. The spike in criminal damage and arson (9 cases) could reflect the impact of summer tourism, with empty homes left unoccupied during peak holiday periods. The area’s character as a built-up part of the Staffordshire Moorlands—likely featuring a mix of residential and commercial properties—may contribute to this pattern, though local demographics and land use remain unclear.

August 2024 saw a 72.6% increase in the overall crime rate compared to July 2024, driven by sharp rises in burglary (up 100% from 0 to 5 cases), robbery (up 100% from 0 to 1), and shoplifting (up 100% from 0 to 1). These increases suggest a shift in crime mix, with property crimes now accounting for 38% of all reported incidents (19 cases), compared to 42% for violent crimes. The rise in burglary is particularly notable, with the rate of 0.8 per 1,000 residents placing the area 150% above the UK average for this category. This could be linked to the seasonal context of August, when holiday homes are often unoccupied and left vulnerable. Conversely, public order offences fell by 57.1% (from 7 to 3 cases), potentially due to reduced alcohol-related incidents during the summer months. Anti-social behaviour, while still below the UK average, remained a concern, with its rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents (12% of all crimes) indicating persistent community tensions. Residents should be aware of the elevated burglary risk, especially in areas with high tourist activity or vacant properties.

The crime rate in August 2024 (7.5 per 1,000 residents) represents a significant 72.6% increase from July 2024’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may seem high to local residents but is consistent with the area’s built-up nature and seasonal fluctuations. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for every 134 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is slightly lower than the UK average but must be contextualised within the area’s unique demographic profile. While the overall rate is 8.5% below the UK average, specific categories like criminal damage and arson (1.4 per 1,000) and burglary (0.8 per 1,000) are significantly higher than their respective UK averages. This highlights the importance of localised security measures, particularly during the summer months when tourism and property vacancy rates are at their peak. The contrast with categories like vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000), both of which are below the UK average, suggests a combination of local factors influencing different crime types.