Bourton-on-the-Water Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The most striking development in July 2024 was a 100% surge in drug-related crimes, rising from zero to one incident—a sudden shift in a historically low-drug-activity area. This anomaly stands in stark contrast to the overall crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents, which remains 58.3% below the UK average of 8.4. The area's character as a picturesque Cotswold village, known for its tourism and seasonal festivals, likely influences this profile. Violence and sexual offences (10 cases) accounted for nearly half of all crimes, a share significantly higher than the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. This may reflect the impact of increased visitor numbers during the summer, though the drop in violent crime by 9.1% from June suggests fluctuating patterns. Property crimes, including criminal damage (4 cases) and other theft (3 cases), were also present but lower than UK averages. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism, school holidays, and outdoor events—likely contributes to higher visibility of certain offences, such as anti-social behaviour, which fell by 33.3% compared to June. However, the sharp rise in drug-related crimes defies typical seasonal trends, hinting at potential changes in local dynamics or unrecorded factors. The low overall rate, despite this spike, underscores the area's generally safe environment, though the unexpected drug-related incident warrants monitoring.

July 2024 saw a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, the most significant month-on-month jump in any category. This follows a complete absence of such incidents in June, raising questions about whether this reflects a temporary spike or a new trend. Concurrently, public order offences fell by 50%, and anti-social behaviour decreased by 33.3%, suggesting a mixed impact from seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category, dropped by 9.1% from June, possibly due to the timing of local festivals or changes in visitor activity. The area's performance against the UK average is notable: violence and sexual offences are 40% below the UK rate, while criminal damage is 11% above. This divergence highlights the unique characteristics of Bourton-on-the-Water, where tourism-driven activity may amplify certain types of crime while suppressing others. For residents, the 100% rise in drug-related crimes is a concrete data point that could influence local safety perceptions, even as the overall crime rate remains exceptionally low.

Bourton-on-the-Water's crime rate in July 2024 (3.5 per 1,000) marked a 19.2% decrease from June's rate of 4.4, reflecting a continuing downward trend. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 283 residents, a figure that places the area well below the UK average. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day, a rate that aligns with the area's reputation as a low-crime destination. When scaled to the population of 5,933 residents, the monthly exposure of 1-in-283 highlights the relative safety of the area, even with the unexpected rise in drug-related crimes. This contrasts sharply with the UK's overall rate, where residents face a much higher likelihood of experiencing crime. The previous month's rate of 4.4 per 1,000 also underscores the volatility of certain crime types, such as drugs, which jumped from zero to one incident. For residents, the comparison to the UK average reinforces the area's status as a secure place to live, though the anomaly in July suggests the need for continued vigilance in monitoring emerging trends.