Official Home Office statistics show that there was a significant increase in the total monthly number of crimes taking place in Bradley Stoke during June 2018, with 114 cases being recorded.
This is the first time that more than 100 crimes have been recorded in the town within a single month since the recording system categories were last changed in May 2013.
The June figure represents:
- A 28 percent increase over the previous month (May 2018)
- A 41 percent increase over the same month last year (Jun 2017)
- A 40 percent increase over the average of the previous 12 months (Apr 2017 to May 2018)
Analysis of the detailed statistics, available at www.police.uk, show that crimes in the following categories were mainly responsible for the overall increase:
- Anti-social behaviour
- Other theft
- Public order
- Vehicle crime
Whilst acknowledging that it wouldn’t be sensible to draw conclusions about trends from a single month’s figures, the Journal approached Avon and Somerset Police for a statement about this extraordinary increase and enquired whether there were any special circumstances at play during June.
A police spokesperson replied:
“There clearly does appear to be a higher than usual spike in demand in June 2018; particularly in the second half of the month. Incidents of anti-social behaviour, public order and theft did contribute towards this increase in demand and we have seen similar previous patterns during periods of warm weather and major football events, such as the World Cup. It is important to note that, whilst the percentage increases appear to be high, this only represents a relatively small increase in the numbers of reported crimes.”
“Specific increases in crime during June were nine ‘making off without payment’ incidents, that are all petrol-filling station drive-offs (which are classified as ‘theft’ on the Home Office system).”
“Incidents of shoplifting also appear to have contributed to the overall increase in theft over this period.”
“Finally, it’s worthy of noting that throughout July 2018, crime (excluding anti-social behaviour) appears to have fallen slightly below the 12-month average.”
It is noted that our neighbouring beat areas of Stoke Gifford and Patchway both experienced a drop in total crimes recorded between May 2018 and June 2018, which is apparently at odds with the statement. However, the corresponding figure for the whole Avon and Somerset area does show a small 4 percent increase.
Despite this recent surge in recorded crime, Bradley Stoke still has a relatively low crime rate, ranking seventh lowest when compared to the nineteen other neighbourhoods within a five mile radius, while South Gloucestershire as a whole has the lowest crime rate of all five local authorities within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area.
Image: Chart showing monthly crime totals in Bradley Stoke: July 2017 to June 2018. Red line shows monthly average (75.0) for same period 12 months earlier.
• From 3rd September 2018, the opening hours of Patchway police enquiry office (within the Patchway Police Centre on Gloucester Road) will change, following a review of the service across Avon and Somerset. The office will continue to open between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday but the hours on Saturday and Sunday are reduced to 9am to 5pm.
This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on pages 4 & 5). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
UPDATE (6th September 2018)
Home Office figures released today show that there were 83 crimes recorded in Bradley Stoke in July 2018, a significant drop on the June 2018 figure.
