Upton (Wakefield) Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2025, Upton (Wakefield) recorded a crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000, placing it 4.2% above the UK average of 7.1. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.5% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (19.6%) and other crime (6.5%). This pattern reflects the area’s characteristics as a built-up district within Wakefield, where community dynamics and local amenities may influence crime distribution. The seasonal context of January, marked by post-holiday quietude and reduced retail activity, likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate compared to the preceding month. However, the persistence of violence and sexual offences at a rate 27% above the UK average suggests a need for targeted interventions. The UK average for criminal damage and arson is lower (0.5 per 1,000), yet Upton’s rate is 175% higher, a disparity that may be linked to local factors such as property density or seasonal maintenance activities. Conversely, Upton’s lower rates of burglary (33% below the UK average) and shoplifting (68% below) indicate successful local initiatives or environmental factors that deter these crimes. The area’s crime profile in January illustrates a combination of seasonal trends, community-specific vulnerabilities, and the effectiveness of policing strategies in managing high-risk categories.

January 2025 marked a significant drop in violence and sexual offences, which fell by 16.7% from 24 incidents in December to 20. This reduction, coupled with a 66.7% decrease in other theft (from 6 to 2), points to a shift in crime patterns during the post-holiday period. Conversely, public order offences saw a sharp 200% increase, rising from one to three incidents, a trend that may reflect the impact of shorter days and colder weather on community interactions. Upton’s rate of criminal damage and arson (1.4 per 1,000) is 175% above the UK average, a stark contrast to its significantly lower burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000, 33% below the UK average). Residents may find the 68% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average (from 0.6 to 0.2 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, indicating effective local strategies in retail crime prevention.

Upton (Wakefield) saw a 13.2% decrease in its crime rate from 8.5 per 1,000 in December 2024 to 7.4 per 1,000 in January 2025. This reduction aligns with the post-holiday lull typically observed in January, when retail footfall declines and outdoor activities diminish. On a daily basis, the area recorded one crime per day in January, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall rate compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 136 residents, illustrating a manageable level of exposure for the local population. This monthly exposure rate is particularly significant when contextualised against the area’s population of 6,244, highlighting that the majority of residents experienced no direct involvement with crime. The drop in violent crimes, alongside the persistent low rates of burglary and shoplifting compared to the UK average, suggests a combination of seasonal factors and local policing efforts may have contributed to the overall decline.