Cheltenham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Cheltenham, 9.4 crimes were reported in January 2024 — a figure 27% higher than the UK average of 7.4. This translates to a daily risk of encountering crime at a rate of 37 incidents per day, with one reported crime occurring for roughly every 107 residents over the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (29.4% of total), anti-social behaviour (15.6%), and shoplifting (10.3%). These patterns align with Cheltenham's character as a mid-sized town with a mix of retail, educational, and tourist activity. The elevated rate of violence and sexual offences, 8% above the UK average, may partly reflect the town's social dynamics during the post-holiday period, when shorter daylight hours and reduced retail footfall could contribute to increased indoor gatherings. Anti-social behaviour, 52% above the UK average, likely correlates with the presence of student populations and the town's historic core, where noise and disorder can persist into the early hours. Shoplifting, 75% above the UK average, may be driven by the high concentration of retail outlets, particularly in the town centre, though January's lower footfall compared to festive periods could suggest a different pattern of theft activity. These figures illustrate how crime rates, while abstract numbers, directly impact the lived experience of residents, with certain areas and times of day likely bearing the brunt of these trends.

January 2024 saw significant month-on-month increases in robbery (100%), vehicle crime (58.8%), and burglary (42.6%), suggesting a shift in criminal activity patterns. Robbery, which rose from 3 to 6 incidents, is particularly noteworthy given its relatively low base rate but sharp upward trend. Vehicle crime, now at 81 incidents (0.7 per 1,000), is 40% above the UK average and may reflect the town's commuter traffic and parking infrastructure. Burglary, increasing from 47 to 67 incidents, is 67% above the UK average, potentially linked to the seasonal timing of January, when holiday-related disruptions may leave properties more vulnerable. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 40% (from 5 to 3 incidents), and other crime dropped by 20.8%, indicating a seasonal lull in certain types of criminal activity. The breakdown also shows stark contrasts with UK averages: anti-social behaviour is 52% above the national rate, shoplifting 75% higher, and public order offences 67% above. These disparities highlight specific vulnerabilities in Cheltenham's crime profile, with anti-social behaviour likely driven by the town's social mix and public spaces. A resident would find the 37 crimes per day figure particularly useful for contextualising risk, though this average masks variations across different areas and times of day.

Cheltenham's January 2024 crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 5.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 8.9, reflecting a small but measurable upward trend. When scaled to daily activity, this equates to 37 crimes per day — a figure that, while abstract, provides a tangible sense of frequency for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 107 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cheltenham in a distinct position compared to the UK average. With a population of 121,739, the town's crime burden is concentrated in specific categories, violence and sexual offences (29.4% of total) and anti-social behaviour (15.6%), which are both significantly above national averages. This contrast with the UK highlights Cheltenham's unique crime profile, shaped by its character as a town with a mix of historic and modern environments. While the overall rate remains 27% above the UK average, the monthly exposure figure offers a nuanced perspective: for someone living in Cheltenham, the risk of encountering crime is not uniformly distributed, with certain areas and demographics facing a higher likelihood of being affected. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of local context in understanding crime statistics, rather than relying solely on national benchmarks.