Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook maintained a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 49.3% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s relatively low crime profile, a pattern consistent with the characteristics of a built-up area within the Staffordshire Moorlands—a region known for its rural-urban blend and smaller community networks. The dominant category of reported crime was criminal damage and arson, which accounted for 29.2% of all incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This category’s sharp increase in February may be linked to seasonal factors, such as colder weather reducing outdoor activity and increasing reliance on indoor spaces, which could inadvertently encourage vandalism. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 25.0% of all crimes.9 per 1,000 is 14% below the UK average. This suggests a local dynamic where community cohesion or policing strategies may mitigate such incidents. Violence and sexual offences, while still a significant category at 25.0%, saw a notable decline from the previous month, aligning with the typical winter lull in social interactions. The area’s low burglary rate—matching the UK average—further highlights its security profile, influenced by the compact nature of the built-up area and limited commercial activity. Overall, the data reflects a crime picture shaped by seasonal rhythms and local characteristics, with property-related offences driving the majority of incidents.

The most striking change in February 2024 was the 600% surge in criminal damage and arson, rising from one to seven incidents. This sharp increase, though not uncommon in winter months, contrasts with the 80% drop in public order offences, which fell from five to one. The area’s violent crime category also saw a 40% decrease, with violence and sexual offences dropping from 10 to six. This shift may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced social gatherings during colder weather. The crime mix has tilted more towards property-related incidents—specifically criminal damage and arson—which now account for 29.2% of all reported crimes, compared to 25.0% for violent crimes. The area’s anti-social behaviour rate, at 0.9 per 1,000, is 14% below the UK average, suggesting a local trend of lower conflict-driven incidents. Residents might find the 55% reduction in vehicle crime, from 0.4 to 0.2 per 1,000, particularly reassuring, as it indicates a potential decrease in theft from parked vehicles.

February 2024 saw a marked decline in the overall crime rate compared to the previous month, falling from 6.3 to 3.6 per 1,000 residents—a 42.9% decrease. This drop aligns with the typical seasonal pattern observed in this area during winter months, when outdoor activity diminishes and community engagement shifts inward. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day in February, a figure that, while low, reflects the sporadic nature of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. When scaled to the population of 6,676 residents, the monthly exposure rate means that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 278 residents. This statistic, while abstract, offers a tangible measure of risk for local households, particularly when contrasted with the UK average of 7.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. The population context further underscores how the area’s compact size and lower density may contribute to a more manageable crime environment compared to larger urban centres.