Cotswold Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cotswold's crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents in July 2024 stands 38.1% below the UK average of 8.4, reflecting a consistently safer profile compared to national trends. This rural-urban hybrid area, characterised by historic market towns, rolling countryside, and tourist attractions, sees violence and sexual offences as the most prevalent category (30.3% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and other theft (10.7%). The seasonal context of peak summer, with schools out and festivals in full swing, likely contributes to the prominence of violent crime and anti-social behaviour, as increased foot traffic and social gatherings may elevate interpersonal conflicts. Cotswold's violent crime rate (1.6 per 1,000) is 44% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or lower population density mitigating such incidents. Property crime remains relatively low, with shoplifting at 0.2 per 1,000 (71% below UK average), potentially reflecting the area's smaller retail footprint compared to major urban centres. The data aligns with Cotswold's reputation as a relatively tranquil region, where tourism and cultural heritage may coexist with robust local governance frameworks.

July 2024 saw a 500% surge in theft from the person, rising from 3 to 18 incidents, a stark contrast to the 53.3% decline in shoplifting (30 to 14). This shift may indicate changing criminal tactics, with opportunistic thefts increasing during crowded festivals while retail thefts decrease, possibly due to enhanced security measures in stores. Other crime also doubled (9 to 18), suggesting a broadening of criminal activity beyond traditional categories. Meanwhile, bicycle theft rose 100% (0 to 2), a trend consistent with summer tourism and increased cycling during warmer months. Conversely, robbery fell 66.7% (3 to 1), and possession of weapons dropped 16.7% (6 to 5), reflecting the impact of local anti-crime initiatives or seasonal factors reducing high-risk interactions. The area's violent crime rate remains 44% below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour also significantly lower (38% below national figures), illustrating a crime profile shaped by both geographic characteristics and community dynamics.

Cotswold's July 2024 crime rate (5.2 per 1,000) represents a 4.9% increase from June's 4.9 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. Daily crime activity averaged 15 incidents per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the area's population density and land use patterns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 193 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of criminal activity in relation to Cotswold's 91,661 population. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it translates to a relatively low risk of personal victimisation compared to larger urban areas. The 4.9% month-on-month rise, though notable, is tempered by the area's consistently lower baseline rates. Cotswold's crime profile diverges from national trends in several key categories: violence and sexual offences (44% below UK average), anti-social behaviour (38% below), and shoplifting (71% below). These disparities likely stem from the district's mix of rural tranquility and managed tourism, where community policing and environmental design may mitigate certain crime types more effectively than in densely populated regions.