Gloucester Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a city of approximately 138,600 residents, Gloucester recorded 1,410 crimes in February 2024, translating to a crime rate of 10.2 per 1,000 people. This rate is 43.7% higher than the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, highlighting a significant disparity in local crime trends. The data reveals a stark focus on violent and sexual offences, which accounted for 40.1% of all recorded crimes (566 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (16.5%) and public order offences (8.7%). These figures suggest a combination of social and environmental factors influencing Gloucester's crime profile during the winter months. The seasonal context of February—a time of year marked by reduced outdoor activity and colder weather—may partly explain the prominence of indoor-related crimes such as violence and anti-social behaviour, which are often concentrated in densely populated urban areas. However, the sharp contrast with the UK average indicates that Gloucester's local conditions, whether demographic or geographic, are contributing to elevated crime rates compared to the national trend. The dominance of violent crime in particular raises questions about the effectiveness of existing community safety initiatives and the need for targeted interventions in high-risk neighbourhoods.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in Gloucester's crime patterns, with bicycle theft increasing by 71.4% (from 14 to 24 incidents) and theft from the person rising by 66.7% (from 6 to 10). These spikes may reflect seasonal anomalies, such as increased indoor activity during colder weather leading to more unsecured bike storage or targeted opportunistic theft in residential areas. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 29.4% (from 160 to 113), potentially linked to reduced foot traffic in retail zones during the pre-spring lull. Vehicle crime also dropped sharply by 45.5% (from 44 to 24), which could be attributed to lower outdoor activity in February, a trend consistent with historical data showing reduced vehicle-related offences in winter months. Violent and sexual offences remain a critical concern, with their rate (4.1 per 1,000) 64% above the UK average, suggesting that Gloucester's urban environment—characterised by a mix of historic and modern districts—may be a factor in the persistence of such crimes. These figures underscore the need for a nuanced approach to crime prevention, balancing targeted measures for specific offences with broader community engagement strategies.

Gloucester's crime rate in February 2024 (10.2 per 1,000) marked a 9.9% decrease from the previous month's rate of 11.3 per 1,000, indicating a short-term downward trend. However, this reduction does not bring the city closer to the UK average, which remains 7.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Gloucester experienced an average of 49 crimes per day in February, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 98 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is particularly striking when considered against the city's population size, as it highlights the frequency of crime in a relatively compact urban area. While the overall rate has declined slightly compared to January, the persistent gap between Gloucester's crime levels and the national average suggests that systemic factors—such as local socioeconomic conditions, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics—are at play. The population context further underscores the significance of these figures: for every 1,000 residents, 10 crimes are recorded, a rate that would equate to over 1,400 incidents annually if sustained. This context is critical for residents and policymakers alike, as it frames the urgency of addressing Gloucester's elevated crime rates relative to the broader UK landscape.