Cotswold Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cotswold’s November 2024 crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 is 40.8% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national figure of 7.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy underscores the area’s unique characteristics, likely shaped by its rural landscape and low population density. The crime profile is dominated by violent crimes, which account for 31.2% of all incidents, with violence and sexual offences being the most frequently reported category. This contrasts with property crimes, which, while slightly lower in overall share (34.6% of total crimes), include categories like burglary that are 29% above the UK average. Seasonal factors in November—such as the dark evenings of winter, Bonfire Night, and the shopping frenzy of Black Friday—may have influenced certain trends. For instance, shoplifting saw a 46.2% increase, possibly linked to the holiday season, while anti-social behaviour remained 19% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement. The balance between violent and property crimes offers insight into the area’s dynamics: while violent crime rates are lower than the UK average, property crimes reflect a mix of higher and lower rates compared to national benchmarks. This complexity may be due to Cotswold’s rural nature, where fewer public spaces and stronger community ties could reduce violent incidents but leave certain property vulnerabilities, such as burglary in isolated homes, unaddressed. Overall, the data illustrates a generally safe area with localized challenges that require targeted strategies.

The month-on-month changes reveal a mixed picture. Shoplifting increased by 46.2%, likely linked to Black Friday shopping activity, while theft from the person dropped by 71.4%, possibly due to heightened awareness during the festive season. Other crime and drug-related incidents both rose sharply—Other crime surged by 85.7% and drugs by 80%—indicating emerging trends that warrant attention. Violent crime remains the largest category, with violence and sexual offences at 1.4 per 1,000, 46% below the UK average. This contrast with burglary, which is 29% above the UK rate, highlights a divergence in local crime patterns. Residents might find the 71.4% drop in theft from the person particularly relevant, suggesting improved security measures or reduced opportunities for such crimes. The data also shows that anti-social behaviour, at 0.9 per 1,000, is 19% below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s generally low levels of disorder.

Cotswold's crime rate in November 2024 (4.5 per 1,000) marks a 13.7% decrease from the previous month's 5.2 per 1,000, reflecting a continuing downward trend. Daily crime figures show 14 crimes reported over 30 days, a rate that remains low compared to UK averages. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 224 residents, a statistic that underscores the area’s relative safety. With a population of 91,661, Cotswold’s crime profile is shaped by its rural character, where lower population density and community cohesion may contribute to reduced opportunities for crime. The monthly exposure rate (1-in-224) is a practical measure for residents, indicating that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is significantly lower than the UK average. This context helps residents understand their personal risk in a tangible way, especially when compared to urban areas where such figures might be much higher.