Broad Blunsdon Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 8,381, the 43 crimes reported in October 2024 translate to a crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents — 37% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights Broad Blunsdon’s relative safety compared to the national picture. Shoplifting dominated the crime profile, accounting for 55.8% of all incidents (24 cases), a rate of 2.9 per 1,000 — 303% above the UK average for this category. This could be linked to the area’s retail presence, as shoplifting often spikes in areas with high foot traffic or visible storefronts. Violence and sexual offences, though lower in overall numbers (8 cases, 18.6% of total), were 63% below the UK average, suggesting fewer incidents of interpersonal conflict or targeted violence. The seasonal context of October — with darker evenings and Halloween — may have influenced patterns, though the overall crime rate remains stable. Anti-social behaviour (5 cases, 11.6%) and criminal damage (3 cases, 7.0%) also fell below UK averages, indicating fewer disturbances or property-related disputes than typical for this time of year. While the area’s low overall rate is reassuring, the high shoplifting figures suggest targeted efforts in retail zones could be necessary to address this specific vulnerability.

October 2024 saw a 26.3% increase in shoplifting, rising from 19 to 24 incidents — a significant jump in an area where this crime type is already 303% above the UK average. This sharp rise may reflect seasonal factors, such as Halloween-related activity or increased retail foot traffic during the month. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson surged by 200%, with cases tripling from 1 to 3, potentially tied to autumn weather or increased outdoor activity. Burglary also doubled from 0 to 1, though this remains a rare occurrence compared to the UK average (0.3 per 1,000). On the other hand, public order offences fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), and other theft dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1), indicating a reduction in minor disputes or opportunistic crimes. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 46.7% (from 15 to 8), though this category remains 63% below the UK average. These shifts highlight a mixed picture: while some categories like violence and public order saw declines, shoplifting and criminal damage rose sharply, suggesting the need for targeted interventions in retail and property sectors.

Broad Blunsdon’s crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 in October 2024 was 8.6% lower than the previous month’s rate of 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one crime reported per day — a figure that, while modest, underscores the ongoing presence of criminal activity in a community of 8,381 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 195 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. This statistic, when contextualised with the population size, suggests that most residents are not directly affected by crime on a regular basis, though the shoplifting spike indicates localized vulnerabilities. The area’s crime profile, while generally safer than the UK average, reveals disparities in specific categories: for instance, the high shoplifting rate (303% above UK average) contrasts with the significant underperformance in violence and anti-social behaviour. These differences may reflect the built-up area’s characteristics, such as a focus on retail spaces that attract both customers and potential offenders, while fewer instances of interpersonal conflict suggest effective community policing or social cohesion. The monthly exposure metric provides a tangible reference for residents, illustrating that while crime exists, it is not pervasive across the entire population.