In UK Study, the Risk of Certain Types of Crime, but Not Others, Increase After Dark
- University of Sheffield researchers analyzed 34,618 crimes from 2010 to 2019 in South Yorkshire to study crime risk after dark.
- The study sought to examine how the likelihood of crime varies during daytime compared to nighttime, while also exploring the potential impact of street lighting on reducing criminal activity after dark.
- The study found that certain crimes—specifically break-ins, property damage, robberies targeting individuals, thefts involving bicycles, and offenses related to vehicles—were notably more frequent after dark, whereas the incidence of other crime types remained unchanged.
- Dr. Jim Uttley noted that while many believe street lighting can lower crime rates, the research does not provide clear evidence to confirm this idea.
- The research concluded that darkness affects crime risk and varies by crime type and neighborhood, suggesting further work on optimizing street lighting benefits.
32 Articles
32 Articles

Science proves crime really does rise when darkness falls
The overall risk of crime rises when darkness falls - but that risk varies depending on the type of crime and geographical area.
In UK study, the risk of certain types of crime, but not others, increase after dark
A UK study of data on more than 30,000 crimes sheds new light on crime after dark, suggesting that the overall risk of crime rises when darkness falls, but that risk varies depending on type of crime and geographical area. Jim Uttley of the University of Sheffield, UK, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One.
Does darkness increase the risk of certain types of crime? A registered report article
Evidence about the relationship between lighting and crime is mixed. Although a review of evidence found that improved road/ street lighting was associated with reductions in crime, these reductions occurred in daylight as well as after dark, suggesting any effect was not due only to changes in visual conditions. One limitation of previous studies is that crime data are reported in aggregate and thus previous analyses were required to make simpl…
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