Caldicot Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,855, 86 crimes reported in December 2023 equate to one crime for every 115 residents over the month — a rate of 8.7 per 1,000. This places Caldicot 20.8% above the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, highlighting a significant deviation from national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (34 incidents, 39.5% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (12, 14.0%) and public order offences (11, 12.8%). These figures align with seasonal patterns typical of December, when Christmas shopping, festive gatherings, and extended evenings may contribute to heightened tensions and incidents. Violence and sexual offences, in particular, exceeded the UK average by 34%, while public order offences were 129% above the national rate — a stark contrast to the UK’s generally lower levels in this category. The area’s relatively small size and rural-adjacent character may amplify the impact of such crimes, with limited anonymity in built-up areas driving more visible incidents. Meanwhile, shoplifting and burglary saw notable spikes, which may be linked to holiday retail activity and vacant homes during the festive season. These patterns underscore the need for targeted interventions during peak seasonal periods, though further analysis would be required to confirm direct causal links.

December 2023 saw sharp increases in several crime categories. Burglary rose by 100% compared to November, jumping from 3 to 6 incidents — a troubling trend that may reflect homes left unoccupied during holiday periods. Shoplifting also surged by 50%, with 9 reported cases, potentially tied to increased retail footfall and festive shopping. Violence and sexual offences rose by 36%, reaching 34 incidents — the highest single category and 34% above the UK average. This spike could be influenced by the combination of seasonal social gatherings and darker evenings, which may reduce visibility and deterrence. Conversely, some categories saw declines: other crime fell by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), drugs offences dropped by 50%, and other theft fell by 50%. These decreases might indicate reduced illicit activity during the holidays or improved policing in specific areas. Public order offences were 129% above the UK average, suggesting a possible imbalance in local enforcement or community dynamics. For residents, the 39.5% share of violence and sexual offences in total crime highlights a pressing concern for safety during festive events and late-night hours.

Caldicot’s crime rate in December 2023 remained stable at 8.7 per 1,000 compared to November, indicating no month-on-month change. However, this rate still places the area significantly above the UK average. On a daily basis, 3 crimes were reported each day in December — a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of incidents in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 115 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relative frequency of incidents in a community of fewer than 10,000 people. When scaled to population size, the 20.8% gap above the UK average becomes even more pronounced, suggesting that Caldicot’s built-up environment may face unique challenges in crime prevention. The daily crime count, while not alarmingly high, indicates that local residents are more likely to encounter crime than the national average — a factor that may influence perceptions of safety. This contrast with the UK’s overall lower rate could be attributed to Caldicot’s proximity to rural areas, where limited policing resources or economic factors might contribute to higher localised crime. The stability in the monthly rate, despite spikes in specific categories, suggests that underlying trends may persist beyond seasonal fluctuations, warranting ongoing monitoring.