Cheltenham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cheltenham's crime profile in September 2023 reveals a nuanced balance between property and violent crime, with property crimes (406) narrowly outpacing violent crimes (350). The overall rate of 8.9 per 1,000 residents places the area 11.3% above the UK average, reflecting persistent challenges in maintaining public safety. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (32.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.5%) and shoplifting (10.3%). This distribution aligns with Cheltenham's character as a market town with a significant student population, where university freshers and back-to-school activity likely contribute to higher levels of anti-social behaviour and retail-related offences. The seasonal context of September—marked by the start of the academic term and shorter evenings—may also influence crime patterns, with increased foot traffic in town centres potentially exacerbating incidents of theft and public order violations. Shoplifting, for instance, was 61% above the UK average, a figure that could be attributed to the presence of younger demographics and the concentration of retail outlets in the town centre. Meanwhile, the rate of violent crime, though lower than property crime, remains 6% above the national average, suggesting that local factors such as social dynamics in high-density areas or the pressures of transient populations may play a role. The data also highlights the disproportionate impact of certain crimes: bicycle theft, for example, was 300% above the UK average, a statistic that likely reflects the growing number of cyclists in the area and the challenges of securing personal property in a town with limited dedicated bike storage facilities. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the immediate concerns of residents and the broader structural factors influencing crime in Cheltenham.

September 2023 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with property crimes (406) slightly outpacing violent crimes (350). Theft from the person rose 350% (from 2 to 9), possibly linked to the influx of university students and increased foot traffic in town centres. Bicycle theft surged 113% (23 to 49), a figure 300% above the UK average, which may reflect the presence of a large student population and the growing number of cyclists in the area. Meanwhile, burglary fell 48.3% (from 60 to 31), due to seasonal changes and the return of residents to more secure routines. Violent crimes, though lower than property crimes, remained 6% above the UK average (2.9 vs 2.7 per 1,000), with anti-social behaviour also 12% above the national benchmark. These figures underscore the combination of local demographics and crime patterns, particularly in areas with high transient populations.

Cheltenham's crime rate in September 2023 stood at 8.9 per 1,000 residents, a 7.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 9.6 per 1,000. This decline suggests a slight moderation in criminal activity compared to August. above the UK average. On a daily basis, 36 crimes were reported in September, highlighting the frequency of incidents within a 30-day period. When scaled to the population of 121,739, this translates to one reported crime for every 112 residents over the course of the month. While this figure provides context for individual risk, it does not account for the distribution of crime types or their geographical concentration. The reduction in burglary (down 48.3%) and robbery (down 46.2%) may reflect seasonal factors, such as shorter evenings and the return of students to academic routines, which could alter patterns of activity in public spaces.