Cheltenham Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cheltenham's crime profile in June 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with notable spikes in certain categories. The overall crime rate of 9.9 per 1,000 residents places the area 16.5% above the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, highlighting a need for targeted interventions. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for 31.4% of all reported incidents—3.1 per 1,000 residents—and 6% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 20.7% (2.1 per 1,000), a figure 42% higher than the national benchmark. This suggests a concentration of incidents in areas with high foot traffic or social activity, potentially linked to Cheltenham's status as a tourist destination and university town. Public order offences, at 8.8% (0.9 per 1,000), also exceed UK averages, which may reflect the impact of summer events or increased pedestrian activity in town centres. The seasonal context of June—a time when tourism begins to ramp up and the longest days of the year create extended evening activity—likely contributes to these patterns. While property crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime remain significant, their rates are lower than the UK average for certain categories, indicating a combination of local demographics and broader national trends. This mix of crime types underscores the importance of understanding Cheltenham's unique character, where a mix of historic residential areas, commercial hubs, and educational institutions shape the criminal landscape.

June 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with bicycle theft surging by 75% (from 16 to 28 incidents). This increase may be linked to the start of summer, when cycling activity typically rises, particularly among students and tourists. Burglary also rose sharply by 53.8% (from 39 to 60 cases), a trend that could reflect heightened vulnerability in residential areas during the summer months when windows and doors are left open for ventilation. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 23.3% (from 120 to 92 cases), due to increased police presence or seasonal retail strategies. Anti-social behaviour remains a persistent issue, with a rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents—42% above the UK average—which may be connected to the town's vibrant social scene and summer events. The data also reveals that criminal damage and arson fell by 27.8% (from 97 to 70 cases), due to improved community engagement or seasonal factors reducing vandalism opportunities. The rate of burglary in Cheltenham is 56% above the UK average, a figure that could be influenced by the town's mix of older, historic properties and newer developments with varying levels of security. For residents, the sharp rise in bicycle theft underscores the importance of securing bikes with locks, particularly in areas frequented by students and tourists.

Cheltenham's crime rate in June 2023 (9.9 per 1,000) represents a 3.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 10.3 per 1,000, indicating a slight but measurable downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 40 crimes per day in June, a figure that contextualises the volume of incidents within the local population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 101 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while higher than the UK average, reflects the specific dynamics of Cheltenham's demographics and geography. When compared to the UK average, Cheltenham's crime profile reveals stark contrasts: anti-social behaviour is 42% above the national rate, while burglary is 56% above, suggesting that the town's unique characteristics—such as its historic architecture and tourist infrastructure—may contribute to these disparities. However, certain categories, like criminal damage and arson, are 6% below the UK average, potentially due to community-focused initiatives or the town's relatively low levels of industrial activity. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while Cheltenham's overall rate is higher than the UK average, the month-on-month decline demonstrates that local efforts to address crime may be having an impact. This comparison underscores the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to the specific needs of Cheltenham, where tourism and education play significant roles in shaping the local crime environment.