Cheltenham Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In Cheltenham, the balance between property and violent crime in September 2025 reveals a nuanced picture of local dynamics. The overall crime rate stood at 8.7 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 17.6% above the UK average of 7.4. This disparity underscores a unique local context, as Cheltenham’s crime profile diverges from national trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.8% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (24.8%) and shoplifting (11.3%). These figures suggest a significant presence of interpersonal conflict and public disorder, which may be linked to the area’s character as a market town with a mix of retail, leisure, and educational facilities. The seasonal context of September—back-to-school periods, university freshers’ week, and shorter evenings—likely contributes to increased anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related incidents, particularly in areas with high foot traffic. Shoplifting rates, though lower than anti-social behaviour, still exceeded the UK average by 64%, possibly reflecting the town’s retail density and the presence of high-street shopping areas. This balance between property and violent crime may indicate a combination of factors, including the town’s demographic mix and seasonal rhythms, rather than a single dominant cause.

September 2025 saw stark shifts in Cheltenham’s crime profile. Robbery incidents surged by 116.7%, rising from 6 to 13 cases—a jump that could signal targeted criminal activity in high-traffic areas or a response to heightened public visibility during freshers’ week. Concurrently, drug-related crimes increased by 46.2%, a rise that may be attributed to seasonal patterns or localised pressures. These increases contrast sharply with declines in other categories: vehicle crime fell by 36.8% (from 76 to 48), due to reduced summer traffic or improved security measures in car parks. Anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 24.8% of all crimes, remains 88% above the UK average, a persistent issue likely tied to the town’s mix of residential and commercial zones. Shoplifting rates (11.3% of total crimes) exceeded the UK average by 64%, highlighting vulnerabilities in retail environments. This month’s data also reveals a slight shift in the property-violent crime balance: while property crimes (354) slightly outpaced violent crimes (326), the proximity of these figures suggests ongoing tensions between public safety and economic factors. Residents may find the 88% excess in anti-social behaviour particularly concerning, as it indicates a need for targeted interventions in community spaces.

Cheltenham’s crime rate in September 2025 (8.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 3.8% decline from the previous month’s rate of 9.0 per 1,000. This modest reduction may reflect seasonal transitions, as shorter evenings and the start of the academic year could influence crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 35 crimes per day, a figure that, while locally specific, offers context for residents assessing risk. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 115 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when scaled to the town’s population of 121,739, illustrates the frequency of incidents in a relatively compact urban environment. Comparing these figures to the UK average (7.4 per 1,000) reveals Cheltenham’s elevated position, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. This comparison underscores the importance of localised factors—such as the town’s retail presence, student population, and proximity to transport hubs—in shaping its crime profile. While the overall rate has dipped slightly from August, the persistent above-average rates in key categories suggest that underlying trends may require sustained attention from local authorities and community groups.