Staffordshire Moorlands Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Staffordshire Moorlands recorded a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in May 2023, placing it 35% below the UK average of 8.0. This rural area, characterised by its mix of small towns and open countryside, saw violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 43.9% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 18%, while public order offences contributed 10% of the total. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—may partly explain the patterns observed, particularly in violent and public order crimes. While property crimes represented 25% of the total (127 incidents), this share remains lower than the UK average for similar areas. The data suggests a combination of local demographics and seasonal activity, with the rural nature of the district potentially reducing opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the persistence of violent offences highlights the need for continued focus on community safety initiatives, particularly in more densely populated areas within the district.

The most dramatic month-on-month change was a 150% increase in possession of weapons, rising from 2 to 5 incidents. This spike, though still low compared to the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), underscores a concerning trend that may warrant closer monitoring. Concurrently, robbery incidents doubled from 0 to 2, marking a 100% increase, while vehicle crime surged by 84.6% (13 to 24), likely reflecting heightened activity during longer evenings. In contrast, shoplifting fell by 52% (25 to 12), a drop that may align with the closure of seasonal retail outlets or increased security measures. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category, decreased by 22.8% (285 to 220), a decline that could be linked to the end of university term-time activities in nearby areas. Shoplifting in Staffordshire Moorlands is 80% below the UK average (0.1 vs 0.5 per 1,000), a statistic that may reassure residents about local retail security practices. The UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000) is 17% higher than the local rate (2.3 per 1,000), illustrating a relative safety advantage in this area.

The crime rate in May 2023 (5.2 per 1,000) marked a 7.7% decrease from April’s rate of 5.6, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, 16 crimes were reported across the 31 days of May, translating to an average of one crime for every 193 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, though no direct comparison is available for daily figures. With a population of 96,651, the low crime rate underscores the area’s relative safety compared to more densely populated regions. The decline from April may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the winding down of spring festivals and the reduction in outdoor gatherings as the weather becomes more temperate. However, the increase in possession of weapons and robbery highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific areas. Residents may find the 1-in-193 monthly exposure figure particularly useful when assessing local safety, as it provides a concrete measure of risk in proportion to the population.