Leek Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 18,433, Leek recorded 123 crimes in October 2023—equivalent to one crime for every 150 residents over the course of the month. This translates to a crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000, placing the area 16.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 56.9% of all incidents (70 cases), followed by other theft (15 cases) and public order offences (8 cases). This pattern contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 41% of all crimes. Seasonal factors may partly explain the elevated levels of violence, as October brings darker evenings and the Halloween period, which can contribute to increased alcohol-related incidents in public spaces. The area’s character as a built-up area within the rural Staffordshire Moorlands likely influences this profile, with limited nightlife infrastructure but a significant retail presence in the town centre, which may drive some property-related crimes. However, the overall low crime rate compared to the UK average suggests effective local policing or community measures that mitigate risks in this relatively small, low-density area.

October 2023 saw notable month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Burglary increased by 100% (from 0 to 3 incidents), vehicle crime rose by 100% (from 1 to 2), and other theft surged by 87.5% (from 8 to 15). These increases may reflect seasonal shifts, such as increased home occupancy during the autumn or heightened opportunities for theft during darker evenings. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 56.3% (from 16 to 7), and drugs-related crimes decreased by 33.3% (from 3 to 2), potentially linked to the start of the academic term in local schools or reduced social activity during the early autumn. The crime mix also shows distinct patterns compared to the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Leek were 41% higher than the UK rate of 2.7 per 1,000, while public order offences were 32% below the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This divergence highlights the area’s unique dynamics, with a focus on violent crime despite lower levels of property-related offences. For residents, the sharp rise in other theft—now accounting for 12.2% of all crimes—may warrant increased vigilance in retail and public spaces.

Leek’s crime rate in October 2023 (6.7 per 1,000) marked an 11.7% increase from the previous month’s rate of 6.0 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the overall volume in terms of routine community exposure. When scaled to population size, this means that over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for every 150 residents—a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in this built-up area compared to larger urban centres. While the UK average crime rate for October 2023 is not provided, Leek’s performance against specific categories offers further insight: for instance, the 41% gap in violence and sexual offences compared to the UK average suggests localised factors influencing this type of crime, such as the area’s social demographics or policing strategies. The lower-than-average rates for public order, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour may reflect the town’s smaller size, limited nightlife, and potentially more cohesive community structures, which can reduce opportunities for such offences. These comparisons highlight both the strengths and vulnerabilities of Leek’s crime profile in the broader UK context.