Ware Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2024, Ware recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 31.0% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This rate translates to a daily risk of approximately 4 crimes reported across the built-up area, with 1 in every 172 residents experiencing a reported crime over the month. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.3% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.1%) and criminal damage and arson (12.2%). These figures reflect a pattern consistent with summer months, when schools are closed and local festivals draw larger crowds to the area. The lower-than-average rate for violent crime may be partly explained by the town’s relatively low population density and the presence of community policing initiatives. Anti-social behaviour, while still a significant concern, was 24% below the UK average, suggesting that local efforts to manage public spaces during peak tourism periods have had some effect. The seasonal context of July—characterised by outdoor events and extended daylight hours—likely influences both the frequency and nature of reported crimes, with property crimes remaining below the UK average despite the increased foot traffic. This data illustrates a combination of local demographics, seasonal activity, and policing strategies in shaping the crime picture for Ware.

July 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with drugs-related offences doubling from zero to two incidents, marking a 100% increase. Similarly, robbery and theft from the person each rose by 100%, reflecting a small but significant uptick in targeted crimes. These increases occurred alongside a 31.3% decrease in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 32 to 22 incidents, possibly linked to local efforts to address disorder during the summer. The rate of public order offences also dropped by 30.8%, though this category remained 22% below the UK average. A striking contrast emerged in the category of criminal damage and arson, which was 11% above the UK average (0.7 vs 0.6 per 1,000), suggesting that vandalism may be a more persistent issue in Ware compared to other areas. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime type, were 37% below the UK average (1.8 vs 2.9 per 1,000), a figure that may be influenced by the town’s lower population density and the presence of family-oriented community spaces. Residents may find the 56% below-average rate for shoplifting (0.3 vs 0.7 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as it indicates that retail premises in Ware are currently less targeted than the national average.

Ware’s crime rate in July 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, declining slightly by 1.7% from 5.9 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests that the overall crime profile has not experienced dramatic fluctuations, though the month-on-month changes in specific categories reveal nuanced shifts. On a daily basis, the area saw an average of 4 crimes reported per day, a figure that provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 172 residents experienced a reported crime, a ratio that is lower than the UK average when scaled to the local population. Ware’s population of 19,807 means that even small absolute changes in crime numbers can have measurable impacts on per-capita rates. The stable rate contrasts with the UK-wide trend of rising violent crime in some regions, highlighting the area’s relative success in maintaining a lower-than-average rate for this category. However, the 11% above-average rate for criminal damage and arson (0.7 vs 0.6 per 1,000) indicates that certain types of crime remain a challenge, even as others decline. These figures, when viewed alongside the population context, offer a balanced perspective on how crime risk manifests differently in Ware compared to the broader UK.