Wick (Arun) Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Wick (Arun) recorded a crime rate of 9.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 28.2% above the UK average of 7.1. The most prominent category was property crime, which accounted for 55.4% of all reported incidents, with shoplifting alone contributing 30.6% of the total. This dominance of property-related offences reflects the area's built-up nature, where retail spaces and high-traffic zones may create opportunities for theft. The seasonal context of December—characterised by extended evenings, Christmas shopping, and the closure of some homes during the holidays—likely amplifies these trends. Shoplifting, in particular, was 391% above the UK average, a figure that may partly explain the area's elevated property crime rate. While violent crime accounted for 25.6% of all incidents, it remained 10% below the UK average, due to the absence of major nightlife venues or public gatherings in the area. Vehicle crime also stood out, with a 175% increase over the UK rate, linked to the presence of parked vehicles in retail zones during the festive season. These patterns highlight the interplay between local infrastructure, seasonal rhythms, and crime dynamics, suggesting that targeted interventions in high-risk retail areas could address the most significant contributors to the area's crime profile.

December 2024 marked a 400% surge in drug-related crimes, rising from 1 to 5 incidents—a stark contrast to the 53.3% drop in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 15 to 7. This shift suggests a possible reallocation of criminal activity, with drug offences increasing amid the holiday season's social dynamics. Shoplifting remained the dominant crime category, accounting for 30.6% of all reported incidents and far exceeding the UK average by 391%. Vehicle crime also spiked, with a 175% increase over the UK rate, likely tied to seasonal factors such as Christmas shopping and the presence of unattended vehicles in retail zones. Violent crimes in Wick were 10% below the UK average, a trend consistent with lower reported incidents in areas with fewer nightlife venues or public gatherings. These variations underscore the combination of local geography and seasonal patterns, with Wick's built-up area possibly experiencing different pressures compared to more rural or urban counterparts.

December 2024 saw a 10.9% decrease in Wick (Arun)'s crime rate compared to the previous month, falling from 10.2 to 9.1 per 1,000 residents. This reduction aligns with typical end-of-year patterns, where holiday-related activities may displace some crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 4 crimes per day in December, a figure consistent with seasonal fluctuations. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 110 residents, highlighting the relative frequency of incidents in a community of 13,288. While this monthly exposure rate is higher than the UK average, the decrease from November suggests localized factors—such as holiday shopping or reduced foot traffic in retail areas—may have temporarily curbed crime. The population context reveals that Wick's crime rate remains high compared to national trends, though the month-on-month decline indicates some short-term stabilization.