Wetherby Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 12,103, Wetherby recorded 83 crimes in September 2023, equating to a crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 13.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, placing the built-up area within Leeds in a relatively safer position nationally. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark focus on violent incidents, with violence and sexual offences making up 50.6% of all reported crimes. This category’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000 is 28% above the UK average, potentially reflecting the area’s role as a commuter hub near Leeds University, where the start of the academic year could contribute to increased tensions. Other theft, accounting for 14.5% of crimes, is 67% above the UK average, indicating a possible vulnerability in retail or public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average (33% below), rose sharply by 83.3% month-on-month, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in public areas. The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university—may partly explain the rise in violent offences, though the overall decline in property-related crimes like burglary and criminal damage (both down by over 60%) suggests a possible seasonal lull. The data illustrates a combination of local demographics and crime patterns, with the area’s proximity to educational institutions and commuter routes likely shaping the crime profile.

September 2023 saw a 31.3% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 32 to 42 cases. This surge, though below the UK average for the category, aligns with the seasonal rhythm of back-to-school and freshers’ week, which may partly explain heightened tensions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply by 83.3%, from 6 to 11 incidents, potentially linked to increased foot traffic in town centres as students return. Conversely, other crime fell by 72.7% (from 11 to 3), burglary dropped 66.7% (from 6 to 2), and criminal damage and arson fell by 60.0% (from 5 to 2), suggesting a possible seasonal lull in property-related offences. Wetherby’s rate of other theft (1.0 per 1,000) is 67% above the UK average, highlighting a specific vulnerability in this category that warrants attention from local authorities.

Wetherby’s September 2023 crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents marks a 16.1% decrease from August’s 8.2 per 1,000, reflecting a notable decline in overall criminal activity. This reduction, though modest, suggests a possible seasonal shift as the area transitions from summer to autumn. On a daily basis, the local figure of approximately 3 crimes per day provides a tangible snapshot of the pace at which incidents occur, though it remains a localised metric with no direct UK-wide counterpart. Over the course of the month, the monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 146 residents illustrates the relative safety of the area compared to the broader UK context. When scaled to the population of 12,103, this figure underscores that the majority of residents are unlikely to experience crime directly, though targeted categories like violence and sexual offences remain elevated. This population-scaled perspective helps contextualise the numbers for local residents, offering reassurance that the crime rate remains well below the UK average despite specific category fluctuations.