Pontefract Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Pontefract’s crime rate in November 2025 stood at 9.6 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 31.5% above the UK average of 7.3. This elevated rate is driven by a concentration of violent crimes, which accounted for 44.3% of all recorded incidents, followed by shoplifting (10.8%) and anti-social behaviour (7.9%). The prominence of violence and sexual offences—4.2 per 1,000—reflects a pattern consistent with urban centres where public spaces and high foot traffic contribute to interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of November, marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and the onset of darker evenings, may have influenced these trends. Retail-focused crimes such as shoplifting and public order offences, which rose above UK averages, are likely tied to the area’s commercial activity and the draw of seasonal events. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of theft from the person (0.3% of all crimes) and bicycle theft (0.3%) suggest that these specific vulnerabilities are not as pronounced in Pontefract as they are in other regions. The month’s crime picture illustrates a combination of local infrastructure, seasonal rhythms, and the broader socio-economic dynamics of the built-up area within Wakefield. These factors, combined with the area’s population density and the presence of key retail and leisure hubs, contribute to a crime profile that is distinct from more rural or sparsely populated regions.

November 2025 saw a 100% increase in burglary cases, rising from 6 to 12, a spike that may reflect heightened activity during the post-Black Friday shopping period or seasonal vulnerabilities in domestic security. Bicycle theft also doubled, with one incident reported—a stark contrast to the previous month’s zero cases, potentially linked to increased winter cycling activity or targeted thefts near transport hubs. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 39%, from 41 to 25 incidents, a decline that could indicate the effectiveness of local enforcement efforts or a shift in community behaviour during the month. Violence and sexual offences remained significantly above the UK average, with a rate of 4.2 per 1,000—63% higher than the national figure. This category’s dominance, accounting for nearly half of all crimes, highlights the need for focused strategies to address interpersonal conflict and public safety in the area. Residents may find the 39% drop in anti-social behaviour particularly noteworthy, suggesting that targeted measures in public spaces or community engagement efforts may have had a measurable impact.

Pontefract's crime rate in November 2025 fell by 9.4% compared to October 2025, dropping from 10.6 to 9.6 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal pattern in the area, where colder weather and shorter evenings may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. Locally, 11 crimes were reported per day in November, a figure that reflects the built-up area’s density and the ongoing challenges of managing public spaces. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 105 residents, a ratio that underscores the persistent presence of crime in a community of 33,067 people. While this monthly exposure is lower than October’s rate, it remains higher than the UK average. The population context reveals that the rate is driven by a combination of local factors, including the town’s retail and leisure infrastructure, which may contribute to specific crime patterns. These figures, when considered alongside the area’s demographics, highlight the need for targeted interventions without overgeneralising the causes of the current rate.