West Northamptonshire Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, West Northamptonshire recorded a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 3.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, masks a notable shift in the composition of crime types. Violent crimes—accounting for 36.1% of all incidents—surpassed property crimes (34.3%) for the first time this year, a trend that may reflect seasonal factors such as the transition to darker evenings and the approach of Halloween. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences (1243 incidents), which were 5% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely (585 incidents), aligning with national rates but contributing significantly to the local crime picture. The dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with other areas where property crimes often dominate, suggesting a unique dynamic in West Northamptonshire. This shift may be influenced by local demographics, such as a younger population or increased social interactions during the month. Seasonal context also plays a role: the return to darker evenings after the clocks went back could contribute to higher incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour, as visibility decreases and outdoor activity patterns shift. Meanwhile, shoplifting (312 incidents) remained below the UK average by 3%, indicating effective retail security measures or lower foot traffic in certain areas. The data also reveals stark disparities within crime categories: theft from the person, though rising sharply, remains 50% below the UK average, while bicycle theft plummeted to 13 incidents—a figure 100% below the national average. These divergent trends underscore the complexity of local crime dynamics and the need for tailored approaches to address specific risks.

October 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends within West Northamptonshire. Theft from the person surged by 90.9%, rising from 11 to 21 incidents—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened vulnerability during darker evenings and Halloween-related activities. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 43.5%, from 23 to 13 incidents, potentially linked to seasonal changes in outdoor activity or improved security measures. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted: violent crimes (1243 incidents) now account for 36.1% of all reported crimes, outpacing property crimes (1180 incidents). This dominance of violent crime, which is 5% above the UK average for this category, contrasts with significantly lower rates for other theft types, such as theft from the person (50% below UK) and bicycle theft (100% below UK). These divergent trends suggest that while certain crime types are declining, others are rising sharply, indicating the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

West Northamptonshire's crime rate rose 4.8% from 7.5 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents in October 2024 compared to September. This increase, though modest, suggests ongoing pressures in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 111 crimes per day in October, reflecting a consistent volume of incidents despite seasonal fluctuations. When considering monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 128 residents over the course of the month—a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the population of 439,811. This monthly aggregate highlights that while the rate remains below the UK average, the distribution of crime types shows distinct patterns. For instance, violent crimes, which now account for 36.1% of all incidents, are 5% above the UK average for this category. This contrast with lower-than-average rates for theft from the person (50% below UK) and bicycle theft (100% below UK) illustrates a combination of local factors and national trends. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate is manageable, targeted areas may experience concentrated risks that warrant closer attention.