Upton (Wakefield) Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

June 2024 marked a 6.1% increase in Upton (Wakefield)'s overall crime rate, rising to 11.2 crimes per 1,000 residents — 36.6% above the UK average of 8.2. The area's crime profile this month was dominated by violence and sexual offences (29 incidents, 41.4% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16 cases, 22.9%) and criminal damage and arson (9 reports, 12.9%). This pattern aligns with the seasonal context of June, the start of summer, when longer daylight hours and increased foot traffic in built-up areas like Upton may contribute to higher visibility of certain crimes. Violence and sexual offences in Upton were 67% above the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), while anti-social behaviour was 86% above (1.4 per 1,000). These figures suggest a combination of local demographics and environmental factors from the data alone. The sharp rise in criminal damage and arson (1 to 9 incidents) may reflect seasonal transitions, as summer holidays and outdoor events could increase opportunities for such offences. However, whether this is linked to specific events or broader trends.

June 2024 saw dramatic fluctuations in specific crime categories, with criminal damage and arson surging by 800% (from 1 to 9 incidents) — the most extreme month-on-month increase recorded. Robbery also doubled, rising from 0 to 1 case, while vehicle crime increased by 50% (2 to 3). In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 11.1% (18 to 16), and burglary decreased by 16.7% (6 to 5). These shifts highlight a mixed picture of local dynamics: the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson may be tied to summer-related activities, while the drop in anti-social behaviour could reflect seasonal changes in public spaces. Upton's violent crime rate (4.6 per 1,000) was 67% above the UK average, a stark contrast to shoplifting, which was 68% below the UK average (0.2 vs 0.6 per 1,000). This suggests that while retail theft is relatively contained, other forms of crime — particularly those linked to interpersonal conflict — are elevated. Residents may find the 800% jump in criminal damage and arson particularly concerning, as it represents a significant departure from previous trends.

Upton's crime rate in June 2024 (11.2 per 1,000) rose by 6.1% compared to May's rate of 10.6, marking the first monthly increase since March. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day over the month — a figure that, while seemingly low, translates to 1 reported crime for every 89 residents over the course of June. This monthly exposure rate underscores the frequency of crime in a relatively small population (6,244 residents), though it remains below the UK average when scaled to Upton's size. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a shift in crime mix, with property crimes (19) accounting for 27.1% of the total (vs 29.7% in May) and violent crimes rising to 41.4% (from 39.6%). This suggests a slight increase in the proportion of violent incidents, which may be linked to factors such as summer-related social activity or local policing strategies. While causality, the rise in violent crime and the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson indicate a need for continued monitoring of trends in Upton's built-up area.