Knottingley Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Knottingley, 14.3 crimes were reported in October 2023 — more than double the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This elevated rate translates to a daily risk: 4 crimes occurred across the built-up area each day, with 1 in 70 residents experiencing a reported incident over the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (37.2% of total), followed by shoplifting (13.2%) and vehicle crime (10.7%). These patterns align with the area's mix of retail spaces and commuter routes, which likely contribute to shoplifting spikes and vehicle-related offences. October's shorter evenings and Halloween activities may have amplified opportunities for violent crimes. Violent crimes in Knottingley were 96% above the UK average (5.3 vs 2.7 per 1,000), suggesting a distinct local challenge in this category. The seasonal context of darker evenings and seasonal festivals may have influenced offender behaviour. The area's built-up nature, with its retail and transport hubs, appears to create a micro-environment where property crimes and violence are more concentrated than in broader UK trends.

October 2023 saw a 166.7% increase in shoplifting, rising from 6 to 16 incidents — a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 (228% above). This surge may reflect the influence of Halloween and late-night shopping, though no direct causal link is confirmed. Burglary also jumped by 125%, with 9 incidents reported (1.1 per 1,000), compared to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000 (224% above). The sharp rise in possession of weapons (100% increase from 1 to 2) is particularly concerning, though the small sample size limits interpretation. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 66.7% (from 9 to 3), and public order offences dropped by 47.4% (from 19 to 10). These declines may be linked to the start of the academic term, which could reduce youth-related disturbances. The crime mix in Knottingley skews heavily toward property and violent crimes — 88.4% of total incidents — compared to the UK's broader distribution. While anti-social behaviour was 38% below the UK average, this may reflect effective local policing or a smaller population of transient individuals in the area.

Knottingley's crime rate in October 2023 (14.3 per 1,000) was 9.0% higher than the previous month's rate of 13.1 per 1,000, continuing a trend of rising incidents. On a daily basis, 4 crimes occurred across the built-up area — a local figure that cannot be directly compared to UK-wide averages. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 70 residents experienced a reported crime, a figure that highlights the tangible risk faced by the community. While the UK average crime rate is 8.0 per 1,000, Knottingley's rate is 78.8% above this benchmark, indicating a significantly higher exposure to crime for its residents. The population context of 8,484 people means that even a small increase in crime can have a proportionally large impact on individual risk perception. For example, the 16 shoplifting incidents in October represent 1.9 per 1,000 residents — over three times the UK average. This disparity suggests that local factors, such as the density of retail spaces or policing priorities, play a critical role in shaping crime patterns. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a growing concern: the rate of violent crimes in Knottingley is not only above the UK average but has increased by 9.0% year-on-year, indicating a persistent challenge in addressing this category.