Denmead Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Denmead’s December 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents places it 36.1% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000. This marked contrast with national trends highlights the area’s relatively low crime profile, a pattern consistent with its status as a built-up area within Winchester, where population density and community cohesion may contribute to lower rates. Violent crimes, the most prevalent category, accounted for 45.8% of all reported incidents, with 11 cases recorded. This includes violence and sexual offences, which sit 20% below the UK average for this category. Property crimes, while lower in volume (7 cases), still represent a notable portion of the total. Seasonal factors likely play a role in the December data: the Christmas shopping period, coupled with extended darkness, may have influenced both violent and property crime trends. The relatively low overall rate suggests a combination of effective local policing, community engagement, and the area’s compact, residential nature, which can limit opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences—despite being below the UK average—warrants attention, particularly as these crimes often have complex drivers beyond mere geography. The data underscores a need to balance the area’s strengths in maintaining low crime with targeted measures to address specific vulnerabilities, such as ensuring adequate lighting in public spaces during winter months.

December 2023 saw sharp month-on-month increases in several crime categories. Other theft rose by 200% (from 1 to 3 cases), violence and sexual offences surged by 120% (from 5 to 11), and public order offences doubled from 0 to 2. These jumps, while significant, remain below UK averages for most categories: violence and sexual offences are 20% below the national rate, and public order offences are 17% below. Violent crimes constitute nearly half of all recorded incidents, a shift from previous months that may reflect seasonal pressures, such as increased social gatherings during the festive period. The rise in other thefts, though small in absolute terms, could signal heightened activity in retail areas during the Christmas shopping rush. Conversely, burglary remains exceptionally low, with just 1 case reported—43% below the UK average. This suggests that Denmead’s property crime profile is more shaped by targeted offences (e.g. theft from vehicles or shops) than by broader burglary trends. For residents, the most immediate insight is the spike in violence and sexual offences, which, while not exceeding UK levels, underscores the need for vigilance during late-night hours and in public spaces.

Denmead’s December 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents represents an 118% increase from the previous month’s rate of 2.1 per 1,000. This surge, though steep, still leaves the area significantly safer than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while not negligible, reflects a manageable level of activity for a community of 5,222 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 218 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average for similar-sized areas. This statistic, when contextualised with Denmead’s population density, suggests that local crime prevention efforts—such as community policing or targeted interventions—may be effectively diluting the impact of seasonal fluctuations. The contrast with the previous month also highlights the influence of December-specific factors: the holiday season’s social dynamics, coupled with reduced visibility during long evenings, likely created conditions conducive to certain types of crime. However, the area’s ability to maintain a crime rate well below the national benchmark indicates that systemic factors—such as strong local governance or community cohesion—play a stabilising role, even amid temporary spikes.