Cheltenham Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

April 2025 saw Cheltenham’s overall crime rate at 8.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 15.6% above the UK average of 7.7. This rate reflects a mix of local and national trends, with the town’s character as a historic spa town with a blend of residential and commercial areas likely influencing patterns. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (25.9% of total), anti-social behaviour (22.9%), and shoplifting (12.6%), all of which align with the area’s seasonal rhythm. Spring weather and the Easter holiday period likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, potentially amplifying incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The rise in shoplifting compared to the UK average (67% above) may be linked to the town’s retail presence, particularly in its high streets and historic shopping districts. While violent crime rates (2.3 per 1,000) were 12% below the UK average, this contrasts with the significant overperformance in property-related crimes, such as vehicle crime (163% above UK average) and bicycle theft (186% above UK average). These latter figures could be explained by the town’s growing cycling culture and the presence of car parks in tourist and retail areas, which may create opportunities for opportunistic theft. The seasonal context of April, with its mix of Easter-related events and springtime activities, likely played a role in shaping these patterns, though the exact causal links remain speculative.

April 2025 brought notable shifts in Cheltenham’s crime profile, with bicycle theft surging by 137.5% (from 8 to 19 incidents) and robbery increasing by 128.6% (from 7 to 16). These spikes contrast sharply with the 95.2% drop in theft from the person, which fell from 21 to 1, possibly reflecting heightened awareness during peak tourist periods. The town’s anti-social behaviour rate (2.1 per 1,000) remained 58% above the UK average, a figure that may be exacerbated by the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones, where transient populations and high foot traffic could contribute to such incidents. Meanwhile, shoplifting (1.1 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (1.0 per 1,000) continued to outpace UK averages by 67% and 163%, respectively, suggesting that retail and transport hubs remain focal points for property crime. The contrast between these trends and the 12% below-average violent crime rate highlights a combination of factors, including the impact of seasonal events and local policing efforts. For residents, the sharp increase in bicycle theft may be particularly concerning, given the town’s growing emphasis on cycling infrastructure, which could inadvertently create vulnerabilities for theft in high-traffic areas.

Cheltenham’s crime rate in April 2025 fell by 7.0% compared to March’s rate of 9.6 per 1,000, indicating a short-term improvement in public safety. However, this decline does not bring the area closer to the UK average, as it remains 15.6% above the national benchmark. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately 36 crimes per day in April, a figure that, while local to Cheltenham, underscores the frequency of incidents in a population of 121,739. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 112 residents, a ratio that, when contextualised against the UK average, highlights the area’s relatively higher exposure to crime. This monthly aggregate suggests that residents face a greater likelihood of encountering crime compared to the national average, though the exact reasons for this disparity remain unclear. The decline from March may be attributed to seasonal factors, such as the conclusion of Easter-related events and the transition to warmer weather, which could have reduced incidents of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. However, the persistence of elevated rates in property crimes, such as vehicle crime and bicycle theft, indicates that localised vulnerabilities—tied to the town’s infrastructure and tourism dynamics—continue to influence crime trends.