Cheltenham Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cheltenham's crime rate for May 2024 stood at 8.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 4.8% above the UK average of 8.4. This figure, while not dramatically divergent from national trends, highlights a nuanced local landscape where specific offence categories diverge significantly. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 28.7% of all reported crimes, with 306 incidents recorded—though this rate (2.5 per 1,000) is 12% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour, however, emerged as a stark outlier, contributing 28.1% of the total and reaching 2.5 per 1,000, 72% above the UK average. This discrepancy may reflect Cheltenham's character as a tourist destination and commuter hub, where high foot traffic in areas like the town centre and spa grounds could contribute to incidents. Shoplifting also rose above the UK average, with 0.8 per 1,000 (25% higher than the national rate), linked to the town's retail presence. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—likely amplifies public order issues and anti-social behaviour. While property crimes (329 incidents) formed a significant portion, the balance between violent and property crimes remained relatively even, a pattern consistent with urban centres. The data suggests that while Cheltenham's overall crime profile aligns with broader UK trends, targeted interventions may be needed to address areas where local rates deviate sharply from the national norm.

May 2024 saw a striking 285.7% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 7 to 27 incidents. This surge, coupled with an 188.9% jump in 'other crime' reports, underscores a shift in criminal activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 28.1% of all crimes and significantly outpacing the UK average by 72%. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes fell by 54.2%, dropping from 24 to 11 incidents, a decline that may reflect seasonal changes or local enforcement efforts. The sharp rise in bicycle theft, despite a 36% lower vehicle crime rate compared to the UK average, suggests a possible link to increased outdoor activity during longer evenings. Residents should be aware of the 35.4% increase in public order offences, which rose from 65 to 88 cases, likely tied to the seasonal context of May's extended daylight hours and social events.

Cheltenham's crime rate in May 2024 rose to 8.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 7.8% increase from the previous month's 8.1 per 1,000. This places the area slightly above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the local authority recorded an average of 34 crimes per day over the 31-day period, reflecting the persistent nature of local challenges. When considering monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 114 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the population. While this rate is not significantly higher than the UK average, the variation in specific crime types—such as anti-social behaviour being 72% above the national average—highlights distinct local dynamics. These figures, when viewed alongside the area's population size of 121,739, illustrate that while Cheltenham's overall crime profile aligns broadly with national trends, certain categories demand closer attention. The interplay between local demographics and regional crime patterns suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary to address disparities in specific offence types.