Cheltenham Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Cheltenham’s crime picture in August 2023, accounting for 28.5% of all reported crimes and driving the area’s overall crime rate to 9.6 per 1,000 residents—18.5% above the UK average. This figure highlights a persistent challenge for local authorities, as violent crime remains the most significant category in the town’s crime profile. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 20% of all incidents and exceeding the UK average by 32%. These patterns are consistent with Cheltenham’s character as a mid-sized town with a mix of residential, commercial, and tourist areas, where high foot traffic and seasonal events may contribute to disturbances. Public order offences also featured prominently, rising to 10.6% of total crimes and surpassing the national average by 67%. This surge could be linked to the town’s appeal as a summer destination, with increased visitors heightening tensions in public spaces. Shoplifting, at 10.4% of all crimes, mirrored public order in its deviation from the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in retail areas. While property crimes collectively accounted for 436 incidents—nearly 37% of the total—violent crime’s dominance underscores the importance of addressing underlying social and economic factors that may contribute to aggression and conflict in the community.

August 2023 saw a 133.3% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from 3 to 7 cases. This spike, while small in absolute terms, suggests a shift in criminal activity that may warrant closer monitoring. Meanwhile, public order offences rose by 8.8% to 124 incidents, maintaining Cheltenham’s position well above the UK average for this category (67% higher). Anti-social behaviour also remained significantly elevated, with 235 reports—32% above the national average. Burglary and bicycle theft both declined, with burglary dropping 31% to 60 incidents and bicycle theft falling 30.3% to 23 cases. These decreases may reflect seasonal factors, as August is a peak holiday month with fewer residents in homes and fewer cyclists on the roads. Theft from the person, however, fell sharply by 60% to just 2 reports, a stark contrast to the 5 incidents recorded in July.

Cheltenham's crime rate in August 2023 fell by 12.3% compared to the previous month, dropping from 11.0 to 9.6 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as August typically sees fewer incidents linked to school terms and summer holidays winding down. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 38 crimes per day in August, a figure that reflects both the town’s population density and its mix of urban and semi-rural environments. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 104 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a relatively small geographic area. When viewed against the local population of 121,739, this statistic underscores the need for continued community engagement and policing strategies tailored to Cheltenham’s unique demographic and geographic profile.