Cheltenham Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

July 2023 saw Cheltenham's crime rate reach 11.0 per 1,000, placing it 32.5% above the UK average of 8.3. This marked a significant shift in the area's crime profile, influenced by seasonal factors such as the peak of summer, school holidays, and the height of the tourist season. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 29.7% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 20.3% and shoplifting at 9.0%. These figures align with Cheltenham's character as a market town with a historic core and a growing student population, where high foot traffic and events like festivals may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and property crimes. The surge in violence and sexual offences could reflect increased social activity during the summer months. Shoplifting rates, at 1.0 per 1,000, were 67% above the UK average, likely tied to the town's retail presence and visitor numbers. The data also shows a notable imbalance in crime distribution, with property crimes making up 45.2% of all reported incidents, compared to 29.7% for violent crimes. This contrast may reflect the town's mix of commercial and residential areas, where public spaces and shopping districts become focal points for theft and disorder. While the overall rate is higher than the UK average, specific categories like burglary and vehicle crime are elevated, suggesting localized factors such as unsecured premises or targeted opportunistic crimes. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism, open-air events, and longer evenings—adds another layer to understanding these patterns, though the relationship between these factors and specific crime types requires further analysis.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in robbery, which rose by 114.3% from 7 to 15 incidents. This sharp increase, though still relatively low in absolute terms, underscores a sudden shift in criminal activity that may be linked to the summer tourism peak. Burglary also saw a significant rise, increasing by 45.0% to 87 incidents, a rate of 0.7 per 1,000 that is 112% above the UK average. This suggests vulnerabilities in residential security or targeted opportunities during the summer months. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 32.9% to 93 incidents, potentially tied to the increased presence of transient populations or the impact of festivals on public spaces. In contrast, possession of weapons fell by 62.5% to 3 incidents, a drop that may reflect heightened police visibility or targeted interventions during the summer. Other crime also decreased by 24.1% to 22 incidents, though this category remains 43% above the UK average. The data highlights a stark contrast between rising property crimes and falling violent crimes, with anti-social behaviour and shoplifting both far exceeding national averages. For residents, the 67% surge in shoplifting compared to the UK average—1.0 per 1,000 in Cheltenham versus 0.6 per 1,000 nationally—may be of particular concern, as it suggests a need for enhanced retail security measures or community engagement strategies to deter such crimes.

Cheltenham's crime rate in July 2023 rose to 11.0 per 1,000, an increase of 10.8% compared to the previous month's rate of 9.9. This upward trend, though modest in absolute terms, translates to 43 crimes reported daily on average—a figure that, while local to Cheltenham, underscores the density of criminal activity in the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 91 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a population of 121,739. When compared to the UK average, Cheltenham's overall crime rate remains higher, but the disparity is most pronounced in specific categories such as burglary and anti-social behaviour. The town's population context also plays a role: while 11.0 per 1,000 may seem high, it is important to consider that Cheltenham's mix of historic and modern infrastructure, coupled with its status as a tourist destination, creates unique conditions for crime. The daily crime count of 43 provides a tangible measure for residents, illustrating the pace at which incidents occur in a typical day. However, the UK does not publish a daily crime comparison for Cheltenham, so this figure should be interpreted within the local context. The monthly exposure rate of 1-in-91 residents may also serve as a benchmark for community awareness, though it is a static figure that does not account for variations in crime distribution across different areas of the town.