Great Malvern Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Great Malvern, 6.1 crimes were reported in February 2024—a rate 14.1% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This translates to one reported crime for every 165 residents over the course of the month. While the overall rate is lower than the national average, the crime profile reveals a distinct mix of offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 37% of all incidents, followed by shoplifting (16.8%) and anti-social behaviour (9.9%). These patterns align with the town’s character as a historic market town with a mix of retail and residential areas. The high proportion of violent crime may reflect the presence of public spaces and social hubs where interactions are frequent. Meanwhile, shoplifting’s prominence could be linked to the town’s retail presence, particularly during the pre-spring lull when foot traffic might be concentrated in specific areas. Seasonal context suggests that February’s low outdoor activity and colder weather may have shifted crime towards indoor spaces and retail environments. The relatively low burglary rate (4.4%) compared to the UK average may indicate a combination of strong local security measures and the area’s predominantly residential nature, where properties are often occupied by long-term residents.

February 2024 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories. Shoplifting increased by 78.9% compared to January, rising from 19 to 34 incidents—a rate 85% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This jump may be linked to the timing of local retail events or seasonal shopping patterns. Concurrently, possession of weapons surged by 100%, with four incidents reported in February compared to none in January, though this remains a small absolute number. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell by 51.2%, dropping from 41 to 20 incidents, potentially reflecting a reduction in public gatherings during the winter months. The violent crime category (37% of all offences) remained the largest single category, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000—12% below the UK average. This suggests that while violence is a persistent concern, local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may be contributing to its lower-than-expected rate. The town’s shoplifting rate is a key differentiator from the national average, highlighting a specific risk for retail businesses and local residents.

February’s crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents marked an 11.0% decrease from January’s rate of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a downward trend in overall crime. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly seven crimes reported each day in Great Malvern—a figure that, while concrete, is lower than the UK average when scaled to the town’s population. Over the course of the month, the likelihood of experiencing a crime was approximately 1 in 165 residents, a statistic that contextualises risk in terms of personal exposure. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates the relative safety of the area compared to the UK average. The population context further clarifies that Great Malvern’s crime rate, though not negligible, is lower than the national average due to a combination of factors including its smaller size, lower population density, and the presence of community-focused initiatives. These figures contrast with the UK-wide context, where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour rates are higher or lower, respectively, underscoring the unique characteristics of this built-up area within the Malvern Hills.