Cotswold Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cotswold's February 2024 crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents placed it 38% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a testament to the area's generally low crime profile. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 27.3% of all reported incidents—though this rate (1.2 per 1,000) was 52% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 19.2%, with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000, 14% below the national average. These figures suggest that while Cotswold's overall safety is strong, the nature of crime here differs from urban centres, with interpersonal disputes and public order issues dominating over property crimes. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may partly explain the relatively low volume of crimes compared to summer months. However, the sharp rise in robbery cases and drug-related incidents indicates that certain vulnerabilities persist. Cotswold's mix of rural and semi-rural landscapes likely contributes to this pattern, with limited public spaces fostering both community cohesion and concentrated social interactions that can escalate into anti-social behaviour. The decline in violent crimes, meanwhile, may reflect the natural ebb of activity during colder months. Overall, the data illustrates a combination of local geography, seasonal rhythms, and the effectiveness of community-based crime prevention efforts.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 400% increase in robbery cases, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This sharp rise, though still below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, highlights a troubling trend that residents should monitor closely. Concurrently, drug-related crimes increased by 66.7%, moving from 3 to 5 cases—a jump that may reflect shifting patterns in local law enforcement priorities or unmet demand. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 34.5%, with incidents climbing from 58 to 78. This increase could be linked to the winter season, as lower outdoor activity may concentrate social interactions in enclosed spaces. Violent crimes fell by 34.7%, with violence and sexual offences dropping from 170 to 111—a decline consistent with the pre-spring lull in outdoor activity. While shoplifting decreased by 12.5%, the overall balance of property crimes (162) to violent crimes (111) remains skewed toward property offences, a trend that may reflect Cotswold's mix of rural and semi-rural characteristics.

Cotswold's crime rate in February 2024 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 10.1% decrease from the previous month's 4.9 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the typical pre-spring lull in activity, though the rate remains significantly lower than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 14 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the relatively low volume of incidents compared to larger urban centres. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 225 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Cotswold among the safest areas in the UK. When scaled to the local population of 91,661, the 407 total crimes represent a manageable level of risk for residents, though the sharp rise in specific categories like robbery warrants attention. The decrease from January suggests that seasonal factors—such as reduced outdoor activity and the transition into spring—may be playing a role in tempering crime levels.