Staffordshire Moorlands Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Staffordshire Moorlands, 4.2 crimes were reported in November 2023—a rate 44% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This figure translates to a daily risk of roughly 14 crimes across the district, a manageable number for a rural area with limited urban density. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime picture, making up 43.9% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (10.5%) and public order issues (9.8%). These patterns align with the district’s seasonal rhythms: dark evenings and Bonfire Night likely contributed to spikes in public order offences, while the post-Black Friday shopping period may have influenced retail-related crimes. The area’s crime profile shows stark contrasts to the UK average, with anti-social behaviour rates 62% below national levels—consistent with the quieter, more dispersed nature of rural communities where social cohesion may temper disruptive activity. The relatively low vehicle crime rate (60% below the UK average) further reflects the limited presence of high-traffic commercial zones, a characteristic of Staffordshire Moorlands’ predominantly rural landscape. While the overall crime rate remains low, the dominance of violent crimes highlights the need for targeted local measures, particularly during months with reduced daylight and seasonal events that may amplify tensions.

November saw a 33.3% decrease in violence and sexual offences, falling from 270 to 180 incidents—a significant drop likely linked to the end of the university term in nearby areas and reduced outdoor activity as evenings grew darker. However, bicycle theft and robbery both surged by 100%, with one incident each recorded for the first time in the month. These increases may be tied to Black Friday shopping activity, which could have drawn more cyclists and opportunistic thieves to local retail hubs. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained 62% below the UK average, with 39 incidents reported—far fewer than the national rate of 1.1 per 1,000. This suggests that community policing and the close-knit nature of rural neighbourhoods may be effective in curbing such behaviour. The category of 'drugs' also saw an 80% increase, rising from five to nine incidents, though it still remains well below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Residents should be aware that while overall crime is low, the rise in bicycle theft underscores the importance of securing vehicles during the holiday shopping season.

The crime rate in November 2023 (4.2 per 1,000) marked a 14.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.9, reflecting a downward trend in local crime. When scaled to daily figures, this translates to roughly 14 crimes per day across the district—a pace that, while not negligible, is far lower than urban areas with denser populations. Over the course of the month, 1 crime occurred for every 236 residents, a statistic that illustrates the relatively low exposure to crime in a rural district where community networks and open spaces may act as natural deterrents. This monthly exposure rate is particularly striking when compared to larger cities, where the same figure could be significantly lower due to higher population density. The drop in violence and sexual offences from October to November may also be influenced by the transition from autumn to winter, as fewer people engage in outdoor activities and social gatherings shift to indoor spaces. Despite the overall decline, the 100% increase in bicycle theft and robbery highlights the need for vigilance during peak shopping periods, even in areas with historically low crime rates.