Cheltenham Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cheltenham's crime profile in October 2025 reveals a marked divergence from the UK average, with the overall rate standing at 9.0 per 1,000 residents—16.9% above the national figure. This discrepancy is most pronounced in anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 23.0% of all reported crimes and is 67% higher than the UK average. Violence and sexual offences (30.1% of total crimes) and shoplifting (11.9%) also contribute significantly to the local crime profile. Seasonal factors may partly explain these patterns, as October brings darker evenings and Halloween, which historically correlate with increased anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. The area's character as a market town with a mix of residential, retail, and tourist activity likely influences these trends, with high foot traffic in central areas potentially amplifying petty crimes. While violent crime remains a concern, property-related offences such as shoplifting and vehicle crime are also elevated compared to national benchmarks. The data suggests that localised factors—such as the concentration of retail outlets and the timing of seasonal events—play a role in shaping these crime patterns, though further analysis would be required to confirm direct causal links.

October 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Vehicle crime surged by 52.1% compared to the previous month, rising from 48 to 73 incidents, a shift that may reflect increased car thefts during darker evenings. Similarly, criminal damage and arson rose by 30.9%, potentially linked to seasonal events or local disputes. In contrast, possession of weapons fell by 50.0%, and theft from the person dropped by the same percentage, suggesting a temporary reduction in violent incidents. The crime mix shifted towards property-related offences, with shoplifting and vehicle crime accounting for 13.0% and 6.7% of total crimes respectively—both significantly above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, at 23.0% of all crimes, remains a stark outlier, 67% higher than the national rate. For residents, the sharp increase in vehicle crime highlights the need for heightened vigilance in parking areas, particularly during the shorter daylight hours of late autumn.

Cheltenham's crime rate in October 2025 rose 3.8% from the previous month, climbing to 9.0 per 1,000 residents from 8.7. This places the area in a slightly less safe position compared to its own recent performance, though it remains below the UK average for certain categories. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 35 crimes per day in October, a figure that underscores the persistent nature of localised crime pressures. When scaled to the population of 121,739, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 111 residents—a rate that, while higher than the UK average, is consistent with Cheltenham's historical profile as a town with moderate to high crime activity. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the increase in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting has affected the local crime picture, with these categories contributing more than their share to the overall rate. While the daily crime count may seem alarming, this reflects the cumulative impact of multiple smaller incidents rather than a single, concentrated spike in violence or property crime.