Staffordshire Moorlands Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2023, Staffordshire Moorlands recorded a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 41.0% below the UK average of 8.3. This figure reflects a marked divergence from national trends, with violent crimes accounting for 51.7% of all reported incidents—far outpacing property crimes, which comprised 24.4% of the total. The dominance of violent crime over property crime is notable, particularly given the area’s rural character and seasonal dynamics. July, a peak summer month, saw schools out of session, festivals, and increased tourism, factors that may partly explain the higher proportion of violent incidents compared to other periods. Violence and sexual offences (244 cases) were the most frequently reported category, contributing 2.5 per 1,000 to the overall rate, which is 10% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed with 66 cases (0.7 per 1,000), 51% below the UK average, suggesting a generally lower prevalence of disruptive incidents in this area. The seasonal context of July—characterised by warmer weather and increased outdoor activity—may influence crime patterns, with public order offences (30 cases) and criminal damage (38 cases) likely tied to events and gatherings. However, the significantly lower rates of property crime, particularly shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000), both of which are 67% and 79% below UK averages respectively, indicate that the area’s rural landscape and limited retail density may contribute to this disparity. This pattern contrasts with urban centres where shoplifting and vehicle crime are more common, reinforcing the idea that Staffordshire Moorlands’ geography and economic profile shape its unique crime profile.

July 2023 saw a 58.3% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from 12 to 19 cases. This surge may be linked to the summer tourism peak, as festivals and outdoor events bring more visitors to the area, potentially increasing opportunities for theft in retail spaces. Concurrently, vehicle crime rose by 55.6% (9 to 14 cases), likely driven by the influx of holidaymakers and the associated increase in vehicles on local roads. These increases highlight a shift in crime dynamics during the summer months, with property-related offences becoming more prominent than in previous periods. Conversely, other crime categories showed declines: 'other crime' fell by 50.0% (8 to 4 cases), and theft from the person dropped by 50.0% (2 to 1 case), reflecting heightened community vigilance or the impact of seasonal factors such as increased foot traffic in public areas. The area’s violent crime rate (2.5 per 1,000) remains 10% below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.4 per 1,000) both significantly below national benchmarks. This suggests that while violent crime is the most common category, its rate is relatively lower compared to the UK, which may indicate the effectiveness of local policing strategies or the influence of the area’s rural environment, where social interactions are more dispersed. For residents, the 58.3% rise in shoplifting is a concrete data point that could inform local businesses about the need for enhanced security measures during peak tourist seasons.

The crime rate in July 2023 (4.9 per 1,000) marked an 18.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.0, reflecting a downward trend in overall crime. Over the course of the month, 15 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that, while lower than the UK average, may still be a concern for local communities. Monthly exposure calculations show that 1 crime occurred for every 205 residents, a statistic that provides a tangible measure of the risk faced by individuals in the area. When compared to the UK average, Staffordshire Moorlands’ crime profile is distinctly lower, with anti-social behaviour (51% below UK average) and criminal damage (38% below) being particularly notable. The area’s population of 96,651 means that the crime rate is distributed across a relatively low-density environment, which may contribute to the lower incidence of certain offences. For example, the UK average for shoplifting is 0.6 per 1,000, whereas the area’s rate is 0.2 per 1,000, a 67% difference that underscores the impact of local factors such as limited retail zones and a smaller population base. This comparison highlights the area’s unique position relative to the UK, where urban centres typically experience higher rates of property-related crimes. The daily crime count, while seemingly modest, should be contextualised within the broader picture of a rural district where crime is more spread out and less frequent than in densely populated regions. These figures offer residents a clearer understanding of their local safety context, enabling informed discussions about community safety and resource allocation.