Staffordshire Moorlands Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Staffordshire Moorlands continues to demonstrate a crime profile markedly lower than the UK average, with a total crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in September 2024 — 20.8% below the national figure of 7.7 per 1,000. This sustained underperformance relative to the UK average suggests systemic factors that may partly explain the area’s resilience to crime, such as its largely rural character and lower population density. The most prevalent crime category remains violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.3% of all reported incidents (253 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.5%) and shoplifting (11.3%). The rate of violence and sexual offences in the area (2.6 per 1,000) aligns closely with the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), though the category is 1% below nationally. The seasonal context of September — marked by the return to school and university term starts — may influence patterns, with increased foot traffic in local centres contributing to shoplifting spikes. However, the area’s low levels of property crime, particularly vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 56% below UK average) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000, 68% below UK average), suggest that rural environments with limited commercial activity may naturally deter certain types of crime. These figures reflect a broader trend where Staffordshire Moorlands consistently ranks among the safest areas in England, with anti-social behaviour rates (0.8 per 1,000) 32% below the UK average — a statistic that may be linked to the district’s community-focused policing strategies and strong local engagement initiatives.

September 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with shoplifting emerging as a notable concern. The number of shoplifting incidents surged by 127.6%, rising from 29 to 66 cases — a sharp increase that may be attributed to the return of students and visitors to local retail hubs following the summer break. This spike contrasts with a 38.1% decrease in burglary, which fell from 21 to 13 incidents, potentially reflecting improved domestic security measures or reduced opportunities for property crime in a sparsely populated area. Other notable declines included a 37.5% reduction in 'other crime' (from 8 to 5 cases) and a 50% drop in theft from the person (from 2 to 1). These decreases may be partly explained by the area’s low population density and the limited presence of high-risk environments typically associated with such offences. Meanwhile, bicycle theft rose by 100% (from 0 to 3 cases), a figure that could be linked to the increased movement of students and cyclists during the academic term. The only violent crime category to show a slight increase was 'possession of weapons' (0.1 per 1,000, 43% above UK average). For residents, the most immediately relevant finding is the sharp rise in shoplifting, which may warrant closer attention from local retailers and community groups.

The crime rate in September 2024 (6.1 per 1,000) marked an increase of 13.1% compared to the previous month’s rate of 5.4 per 1,000 — a rise that, while statistically significant, remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the district experienced approximately 20 crimes per day in September, a figure that translates to a local monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 165 residents. This ratio, while modest, highlights the ongoing need for vigilance, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic. When scaled to the district’s population of 96,651, the monthly crime rate indicates that a resident has a 1-in-165 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime — a statistic that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the importance of community engagement in maintaining low crime levels. The increase from August to September may be partially explained by the seasonal transition, as the return of students and workers to the area could have temporarily disrupted local crime patterns. However, the overall trajectory remains consistent with the district’s historical trend of being significantly safer than the UK average, particularly in categories like vehicle crime (56% below UK average) and burglary (68% below UK average). These figures suggest that while local conditions may occasionally influence crime rates, the broader structural factors contributing to Staffordshire Moorlands’ safety remain intact.