Freshwater and Totland Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Freshwater and Totland’s crime rate in September 2023 stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 30% below the UK average of 8.0. This performance, while commendable, is tempered by the nature of incidents, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.7% of all crimes (17 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (18.4%) and public order offences (18.4%). These figures align with the area’s character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist activity, where seasonal rhythms—such as back-to-school transitions and university freshers—can influence crime patterns. The prevalence of violence and sexual offences may be partly explained by the area’s social hubs, though their rate (2.0 per 1,000) is 27% below the UK average. Conversely, criminal damage and arson, at 1.0 per 1,000, are 67% above the national benchmark, likely reflecting the vulnerability of historic buildings and the pressures of seasonal tourism. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, remains 55% below the UK average at 0.6 per 1,000, a trend that could be attributed to community engagement efforts or the relatively low density of transient populations. These statistics paint a nuanced picture of a place where safety is generally strong but requires vigilance against specific risks linked to its geography and seasonal activity.

September 2023 marked a notable spike in burglary, with a 200% increase from one to three incidents, likely linked to seasonal transitions and increased property visibility during shorter evenings. Public order offences surged by 125%, rising from four to nine cases, a trend that may reflect heightened social activity as university freshers and back-to-school groups interact in the area. Bicycle theft also doubled, with one incident reported—a sharp contrast to the previous month’s zero cases, possibly influenced by increased cycling during milder weather. While violent crimes decreased by 15% to 17 incidents, this reduction may be attributed to the cooling temperatures and earlier curfews typical of late September. Anti-social behaviour fell by 54.5%, from 11 to five cases, a decline that could indicate successful community interventions or natural seasonal lulls. These shifts underscore the importance of monitoring both rising and falling trends to inform targeted safety measures.

Freshwater and Totland's crime rate in September 2023 remained stable compared to the previous month, with a -1.9% decrease from 5.7 to 5.6 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no abrupt shifts in local dynamics, though seasonal factors may still influence patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly two crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in this built-up coastal community. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 178 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area's relatively low overall crime levels. When scaled to the population of 8,705, this means the community's experience is markedly safer than the UK average, which sees 8.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. However, the breakdown of crime types reveals localised pressures—criminal damage and arson, for example, are 67% above the UK average, a disparity that may relate to the area’s historic buildings and tourism infrastructure. These figures highlight the need to consider both aggregate and category-specific trends when assessing safety.