While to most of us, Christmas is the time of the year when we should be merry and bright, it’s by no means easy. Be it the impending financial pressures or the rising family tensions, Christmas can often be less merry than cheerful. This can be particularly applicable in the realm of crime, which tends to swell at this time of the year.
The winter months provide the covers of darkness for longer nights and challenging weather conditions, thereby providing perfect opportunities for criminals to operate. Stretched holiday crowds add to the problem whereby there are ample distractions for pickpockets and shoplifters to thrive, which would bring down profits made in businesses when it matters most.
At ZAM FM Ltd, having led the security industry for 27 years, we have protected thousands of businesses through the critical weeks – and all year round. We possess deep insights into regional crime trends across England and Wales, consistently tracking the most dangerous areas each year.
In our latest research, we will unveil critical statistics on the rate of crime in the Christmas season, why they particularly worry the business world across various industries, and some pretty effective tips to secure against these risks.
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ToggleHow We’ve Sourced Our Christmas Crime Statistics
In order to build a valid and well-rounded understanding of what’s happening with crime over Christmas, we drew on the latest data available from the repository of Police Data records, which contains details from all of 2022. We also spoke with a variety of independent aggregators for data for proper coverage.
For the retailer and most companies, the last quarter of the year-October through December-is absolutely crucial. Known as the “golden quarter,” this period not only captures the buildup to Christmas but also captures the peak business season. Our analysis is largely based on information for these months, providing a definitive snapshot of crime trends in the all-important festive season.
7 Shocks Statistics About Christmas Crime
It might be the merriest time of the year, but for crimes, Christmas is certainly one to look forward to, especially in terms of higher numbers of criminal activities. While businesses would want to be in high spirits with the profit that welcomed all the visitors, the safety aspect is at risk. Here’s an in-depth look at the disturbing statistics of crimes that are most likely to rise at Christmas time and how to prepare your businesses for it.
1. Shoplifting Increases During The Christmas Period
Christmas time comes with significant pressure on pocketbooks, mainly with regards to gifts, meal preparations, and decorations. This, more often than not, brings a surge of shoplifting in the last quarter of the year. The final quarter of 2022 recorded more than 100,200 cases alone in England and Wales.
The figures were reported to be a whopping increase of 24.7% from previous quarters. The Metropolitan Police reported the highest offense statistics of 12,705, in London, followed miles behind by West Yorkshire and the West Midlands. This squeeze does not only hit retailers’ profits but also heightens security costs and operational disruptions at a crucial sales period.
Retailers have to improve surveillance and strategies of loss prevention as a way to deal with the challenges.
2. Robbery Trends Shows A Similar Holiday Fluctuation
A growth in robberies is also encouraged during the holiday season; robberies increased by 5.6% last quarter of 2022 compared to the previous one. The holidays are quite a vibe, the public areas and stores crowded it leaves very many opportunities for thieves to present themselves.
London reported the highest number with very many robberies in personal and business sectors. This gives rise to a high potential for resulting financial costs and mental anguish to the victims. Businesses should, therefore, engage premium security arrangements such as high patrols and increased surveillance during this period of vulnerability.
3. There is a Higher Chance of Vandalism on Christmas
Christmas festive decoration and the celebratory atmosphere can unfortunately attract some vandals increasing the incidence of criminal damage. Statistics have shown consistent growth in such cases during the holiday season. Once again, the last quarter was conspicuous, with sharp leaps in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire as well as in London which recorded the highest cases.
Such acts also cause incidental physical damages but undoubtedly incur additional costs in repairs and beat the very purpose of festive seasons. Installation of better lighting, CCTV cameras, and alarm systems in businesses as well as homes is encouraged to prevent such destructive behavior.
4. Business Burglaries Boom at Christmas Time
While some firms are a holiday shopping paradise, others shut shop for the festive season. The last quarter of 2022 was the worst quarter to date that recorded the most break-ins in a year, with most occurring in London. This spate of burglaries that begins around the holiday season clearly calls for stepped security, especially for businesses that close during holidays. Timed lights with motion detectors and a working alarm system help frighten away burglars from the house in the risky season.
5. Employee Theft is a Grave Problem During the Holidays
Employee theft may surge during the holiday season and temporary staff turn-over. Recorded last year by the UK was a hefty amount of such theft; most cases occurred in London. It translates into both the levels of inventory and the profits of business as well as as a reduction in the level of trust in the company. This risk can be mitigated by carrying on detailed background checks, strict control over the inventory, and keeping up a surveillance system in position to monitor all activities of the operation.
6. Holiday season’s Criminal Damage to Businesses is very common.
But besides the potential danger to dwellings, the business community is under a severe threat of vandalism during holiday time. Criminal damage on commercial properties was up 1.9% for the last quarter over the same quarter from the previous year. It happened in all areas including London and Greater Manchester. With windows decorated to attract the season’s customers and with the festive decorations, retailers must take steps such as protective barriers, additional lighting, and security patrols to protect their property.
7. Christmas also sees a wave of attempted business burglary
As actual burglaries increase, so does the attempt to commit it, which can disrupt business operations and bring great anxiety and financial stress. Especially in London, throughout the end of 2022, there has been an extremely serious surge in attempted burglaries. Robust security measures will do much to prevent break-ins; more, it shall help business enterprises have better peace of mind in the festive season with advanced alarm systems and CCTV surveillance as well as serious physical barriers.
Will The Cost of Living Crisis Mean More Crime at Christmas?
Merry Christmas. The festive season may be a time of merriment, but often reflects the overall socio-economic atmosphere. At present in the UK, economic pressures -manifesting in stagnant wages and soaring costs of living-are producing conditions that may sadly make crime levels worse this Christmas. Below, this post accesses the very latest Office of National Statistics findings to sketch a bleak outline of the expected growth of crime because of the financial stress most are currently experiencing.
1. Shoplifting Has Increased To An Astronomical Level
Shoplifting cases have increased dramatically in the last year, a reflection of the level of economic pain most suffer through. Such reflectionsX can be seen in the steep increases shown in data, indicating that there are reported cases of shoplifting offenses at an increase of 25% from 292,584 in 2022 to 365,164 in 2023 in England and Wales. Such escalations are not uniform in all areas but vary.
For example, during 2023, the highest increase in shoplifting cases was experienced in Sussex, standing at 45%. On its own, this region saw shoplifting offenses increase from 8,917 to 12,920 in 2023. Other notable increases were experienced in Northumbria, Avon and Somerset, and Cambridgeshire that all recorded cases of shoplifting with increases above 40%. These statistics not only show the effects of economic distress on crime but also highlight the fact that there are degrees to which this impacts region.
2. We Have Experienced A Huge Rise In Larceny By The Individual
Besides shoplifting, theft from a person has also taken a dramatic leap. More broadly, incidents in both England and Wales have risen by 20% from 97,883 in 2022 to 116,523 in 2023. Some areas feel it more acutely. Northumbria is one such area which has a marked 43% rise for such crimes and points toward a sharply upward incidence of personal theft offenses that include purse snatchings and pickpocketing.
Increased significantly in Devon & Cornwall, Gwent, and Dorset, all of which showed large rises in incidents. Increases of this nature are especially worrying in towns, as large crowds and busy public environments provide much opportunity for thieves.
3. Possession of weapons offences have risen significantly
Most alarming perhaps is the huge growth in offenses of weapon possession, which normally develop a momentum of their own against the escalations of the very same offending trends for robbery and assault. Nationally, during 2022 to 2023, weapon possession offenses grew by 13% from 51,430 to 58,426 incidents.
However, regional information paints a bleaker picture still. Cheshire was the region that saw the largest rise of such crimes in the country at 91%. Weapon-related crimes in Staffordshire rose by 81%, and in Cumbria by 69%, following notable rises in both regions. These are harsh indicators of the growing desperation and possibly more violent nature of crime under the current economic pressures.
Enhance Your Holiday Security with ZAM FM Ltd
During the festive period, a spike in crime rates is not only a statistic but a reality that many businesses face. With ZAM FM Ltd, you can fortify your premises against potential threats as the colder months draw in. Our security Guard Services are designed to cater comprehensively to the unique vulnerabilities of the holiday season.
At ZAM FM, we pride ourselves on our deep industry knowledge and unwavering professionalism, ensuring that your business is safeguarded. Our offerings include deploying experienced security guards and installing state-of-the-art CCTV systems tailored for retail environments anticipating the holiday rush. For businesses that close down during the holidays, our alarm response and key holding services offer the reassurance that your premises are monitored even when you are away.
Our dedicated 24/7 Communications Centre remains operational through Christmas and New Year, guaranteeing continuous support during these peak times. Should you require immediate assistance or need to adjust your security arrangements, our team is always ready to respond.
Reach out to our skilled team today to explore how we can help secure your business this festive season. We provide a detailed, obligation-free consultation and quote, ensuring you receive a security solution that fits your needs perfectly.