Isle of Wight Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 141,660, the Isle of Wight recorded 968 crimes in October 2024, translating to 6.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 16% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (430 incidents, 44.4% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (112, 11.6%) and shoplifting (99, 10.2%). This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal and public order issues, possibly influenced by the area’s mix of rural and coastal communities. October’s seasonal context—darker evenings and Halloween—may have contributed to the 66.7% rise in theft from the person, though this remains a small proportion of overall crimes. The lower rate of property crimes (297 total) compared to violent crimes contrasts with UK patterns, where property crimes typically dominate. The area’s relative safety, particularly in categories like burglary (32 incidents, 39% below the UK average), could be attributed to its lower population density and dispersed nature, which may limit opportunities for certain offences. These figures underscore the Isle of Wight’s distinct crime profile, shaped by its geography and community characteristics.

October saw a 66.7% increase in theft from the person, rising from 3 to 5 incidents—a sharp uptick that may reflect heightened vigilance around Halloween or seasonal shopping. Conversely, robbery fell by 75.0%, from 4 to 1, potentially linked to reduced foot traffic during darker evenings. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (44.4% of total crimes), 12% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies may influence this trend. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 38% below the UK average, a stark contrast that could indicate effective local initiatives or demographic differences. The 52.4% rise in burglary (21 to 32) warrants attention, though it remains 39% below the UK average, suggesting the area’s rural nature may limit opportunities for such crimes compared to urban settings.

The crime rate for October 2024 (6.8 per 1,000 residents) marks a 6.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.3 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns observed in rural and coastal areas, where reduced foot traffic and darker evenings may dampen opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, 31 crimes were reported in October—a figure that, while relatively low, reflects the Isle of Wight’s smaller population compared to urban centres. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 146 residents experienced a reported crime, a ratio that contextualises the impact of crime on the local community. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which would be expected given the Isle of Wight’s overall rate being 16% below the national figure. The population context further underscores that, despite absolute numbers, the scale of crime remains proportionally lower than in more densely populated regions.