Witham Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2024, Witham recorded 159 crimes across its population of 24,838 residents, equating to a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 people. This figure places the area 23.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a notable achievement in local crime prevention. The breakdown reveals a distinct profile, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 38.4% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.7%) and other theft (10.7%). These figures suggest a focus on interpersonal and community-level issues, with public order and vehicle crime also present but at lower proportions. Seasonal factors in May—such as bank holidays, longer evenings, and increased outdoor drinking—likely contribute to the prominence of violent and anti-social offences. The relatively low rates for property crimes, particularly shoplifting (4.4% below UK average) and burglary (35% below UK average), may reflect effective local policing or community initiatives. However, the 100% increase in robbery from April to May underscores the need for vigilance in high-risk areas. Witham's crime picture illustrates a balance between persistent challenges in violent crime and areas where local efforts appear to have made a measurable impact.

May 2024 saw a 100% increase in robbery, with one incident reported compared to none in April. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may reflect seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 31.6%, from 19 to 25 incidents, a trend consistent with May's bank holidays and extended daylight hours. Conversely, 'other crime' fell by 83.3%, from six to one incident, suggesting a possible temporary reduction in unclassified or sporadic offences. Witham's rate for violence and sexual offences (2.5 per 1,000) is 12% below the UK average, a contrast to the 21% above UK average for 'other theft' (0.7 per 1,000). These shifts highlight the combination of local and national crime trends, with certain categories showing marked divergence from national norms.

Witham's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 6.4 per 1,000 residents, a 3.2% increase from 6.2 per 1,000 in April. This rise, though modest, reflects a localised shift in patterns. Over the course of the month, 159 crimes were reported, translating to approximately 5 crimes per day. For residents, this means that over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 156 residents. While the overall rate remains 23.8% below the UK average, the month-on-month change highlights a need for continued monitoring. The population-scaled perspective shows that Witham's crime rate, though higher than April's, still places it significantly below national benchmarks. The daily figure of 5 crimes per day provides a tangible sense of local frequency, though it does not account for fluctuations in reporting or policing activity. This context helps residents gauge risk relative to both their immediate community and the UK as a whole.