Wivenhoe Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In February 2024, Wivenhoe—a built-up area within Colchester—recorded a total of 13 crimes, equating to a crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 71.8% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, underscoring the area's consistently low crime profile. The breakdown of incidents reveals that violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share (53.9%) of total crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (15.4%) and shoplifting (15.4%). These figures align with patterns observed in smaller, non-urban areas where property crimes and violent incidents often dominate. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may contribute to the observed crime distribution, though no direct correlation can be established without further data. The category of violence and sexual offences in Wivenhoe remains 56% below the UK average, a disparity that could reflect the area's demographic and geographic characteristics. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife districts may help explain the relatively low incidence of theft from the person or public order offences, which are more common in urban centres. However, the sharp increase in shoplifting (+100%) and criminal damage and arson (+100%) highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of local crime trends, particularly in areas with seasonal foot traffic or community events. The overall crime rate, while significantly below the national average, should be contextualised within the area's unique population size and geographic profile. For a community of 6,600 residents, the low number of incidents suggests a stable environment, though the month-on-month fluctuations in specific categories indicate the importance of maintaining community engagement and local policing efforts.

February 2024 saw a notable 41.7% decrease in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 12 to 7 incidents. This decline contrasts with increases in criminal damage and arson (+100.0%) and shoplifting (+100.0%), both of which rose from zero to two incidents. The category of violence and sexual offences in Wivenhoe remains 56% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, a disparity that highlights the area's distinct crime profile. Meanwhile, other theft and other crime categories fell significantly below UK rates, with other theft at 64% below the national average. These shifts suggest a potential reallocation of criminal activity towards property-related offences from the data alone. For residents, the 100% increase in shoplifting may warrant closer attention to local retail security measures, particularly in areas with high foot traffic.

Wivenhoe's February 2024 crime rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents marks a 35.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.0 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns observed in smaller built-up areas, where winter months often see reduced outdoor activity and lower foot traffic. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 0 crimes per day over the 29-day period, reflecting a stark contrast to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. When scaled to the local population, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 508 residents over the course of the month. Such a low monthly exposure rate suggests a relatively stable environment, though this figure does not account for unreported incidents. The population context further underscores the significance of these numbers: for a community of 6,600 people, the crime rate remains markedly below the national average, indicating a consistent trend of lower criminal activity in this specific geographic area.