The impact of lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions has seen a general decrease in crime this year, with April and May being two of the lowest crime months in many years. If we look at the figures from summer into autumn we see that crime is starting to go up again, which is no surprise as lockdown fatigue sets in and people lose their jobs. Shoplifting fell significantly during the first lockdown, and not just because fewer shops were open. With social distancing measures in place, it became very hard to hide from CCTV and theft prevention staff to steal items – May saw a record low of 659 incidents of shoplifting. By October 2020, this had risen to 1,160 (compared to 1,242 in October 2019). The October numbers are lower this year, but it is telling that shoplifting rose to almost pre-lockdown levels during the autumn. With packed high streets in December for last minute Christmas shopping we expect to see a return to normal levels of shoplifting from now on.
Burglaries dropped off during the first lockdown too, with 1,175 reported in May (compared to over 2,000 in May 2019). October saw 1,782 burglaries, with the numbers steadily increasing over the summer and early autumn. As people took the chance to go on holiday, and returned to work in-person, more homes were left unattended so burglars caught up and raided over 1,000 homes a month. October 2019 saw 1,937 burglaries, so year-on-year there appears to be a decrease (largely due to people being at home more than they were last year). Even having neighbours at home on both sides can decrease the chances of your home being targeted, so the deterrent of having someone home or nearby is clearly very significant.
Vehicle thefts have not been affected too much either way, with a similar number of incidents recorded in October 2020 (2,454) as in October 2019 (2,686). This type of theft is largely unaffected by lockdowns or changes in people’s daily routines, as most vehicle thefts happen overnight (when vehicles are taken from the driveway or street) or in large car parks where not many people are around to witness it. These factors haven’t changed much due to restrictions, so it has had little impact on vehicle thefts.
The only crime we look at which has risen compared to last year is bike thefts. In October 2020, 308 incidents were recorded, compared to 246 in October 2019. As more people decide to cycle to work to avoid public transport, it’s no surprise that there’s a big market for bikes. This means more are being bought brand new and second hand, and it’s these second hand bike sales that are lucrative for thieves. The cost of a brand new, top of the range road bike can be eye-watering, but a second hand one, with very little wear and tear, is an appealing prospect.
We can see that although lockdowns and restrictions have reduced the number of crimes being committed, as we get back to normal and people start to slacken with adhering to restrictions crime rates will go back up to normal levels. We may have enjoyed a safer summer, but that’s no reason to slack on our security measures, both at home and at work.