Watton Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Watton during September 2023, 6.4 crimes were reported, placing the area 20% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly 3 crimes per day, or one reported crime for every 157 residents over the course of the month. The most significant contributor to this rate was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 46.3% of all reported crimes (38 incidents). This category alone exceeded the UK average for violent crime by 9%, suggesting local factors may be influencing this trend. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 22.0% of all crimes (18 incidents), while drugs-related offences (6 incidents) were 150% above the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university freshers—may contribute to the elevated rates of violence and anti-social behaviour, as increased social activity in public spaces could heighten tensions. However, other categories, such as public order offences (4 incidents) and burglary (3 incidents), were significantly below the UK average by 52% and 38% respectively, indicating a relatively safer environment for property crime. The overall crime profile reflects a mix of localised pressures and broader regional trends, with the area’s relatively low property crime rates standing in contrast to the higher-than-average rates of violence and drug-related incidents.

September 2023 saw a dramatic rise in drug-related offences, with incidents increasing by 200% compared to the previous month (2 to 6). This surge, though still a small proportion of total crimes, highlights a sharp shift in the local crime mix. Burglary also rose sharply, doubling from 1 to 3 incidents, while other theft increased by 100%, moving from zero to three reported cases. These increases may be linked to seasonal factors, such as the return of students and increased movement in residential areas. Conversely, other crime dropped by 50% (from 6 to 3), and vehicle crime fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), suggesting some categories may have been temporarily affected by changing patterns of activity. The area’s violent crime rate remains 9% above the UK average, but property crimes—particularly burglary and public order offences—were significantly below national levels. For residents, the most immediate concern may be the rapid rise in drug-related incidents, which could signal a need for targeted local measures. The balance between violent and property crime also shifted, with violent crime accounting for over 40% of all reported offences, compared to property crime’s 15%, a notable departure from the UK-wide trend.

Watton’s crime rate in September 2023 rose by 54.6% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.1 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while significant, still leaves the area 20% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day, a figure that may help residents contextualise the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 157 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average in most categories. However, the population context reveals that the area’s relatively small size (12,875 residents) means even modest increases in crime can have a visible impact. For example, the 200% rise in drug-related offences—though only six incidents—represents a substantial shift in the local crime profile. The contrast between Watton’s performance and the UK average is most pronounced in categories like public order and burglary, where the area’s rates were 52% and 38% below national levels. This suggests that while certain localised factors are driving up specific types of crime, the broader environment remains safer than the national average in key areas.