Crime ASB and domestic abuse

Recorded crime

As a result of COVID-19, recorded national crime reduced by 13% on the previous year, and reduced by 15% locally.
Crime rates in the County and across all Districts are well below national and regional levels.
While drugs offences have increased nationally by 14%, locally they have reduced by a fifth (20%).
Not all types of crime have decreased - Violence against the person offences remained static (+0.5% nationally and locally).

Recorded crime per 1,000 population (20-21)

Source: ONS – Recorded Crime in England and Wales, 2020-21

In 2020-21 ASB included recorded breaches of COVID-19 related measures, which make it difficult to compare to previous years.
At a local level, more than a third of all ASB (37%) incidents relate to COVID-19 measures, which inflates statistics.
Overall rates of ASB in the County are just below national, however Tamworth, Cannock and Newcastle are all higher, consistent with pre-COVID-19 data.
ASB remains a Community Safety priority for all Districts.
Pre COVID-19, the majority of ASB incidents related to Rowdy & Inconsiderate behaviour in public places. It is expected that post COVID-19 this trend will continue.

ASB incidents per 1,000 population (20-21)

Source: ONS Recorded Crime and ASB, 2020-21, Staffordshire Police Recorded ASB Incidents, 2020-21

Although crime overall has decreased, Domestic Abuse related crime has remained static (+2%).
However, referrals to providers have increased significantly through the pandemic (+25%), along with increasing complexity.
Mental health support is high, with just over half receiving support for this.
DA remains largely hidden – estimates suggest those who come into contact with Staffordshire Police represent around 35% of all victims. This is similar to estimated levels nationally.
DA remains a Community Safety priority for all Districts.

Domestic abuse victims per 1,000 (16+) population (2020-21)

Source: Staffordshire Police data, 2020-21