Caldicot Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

May 2023 saw Caldicot’s crime rate reach 8.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 5% above the UK average of 8.0. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48.2% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (25.3%) and public order offences (12.1%). This pattern aligns with seasonal shifts in May, when longer evenings and bank holidays often lead to increased socialising and outdoor drinking, factors that may contribute to heightened levels of violence and public disorder. The town’s built-up area within Monmouthshire likely sees a mix of residential and commercial activity, with local amenities and community events potentially influencing crime trends. While property crimes remained relatively low at 9 incidents (4.8% of total), violent crime rates were higher than the UK average for this category, with 4.1 per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 2.8 per 1,000. This divergence could reflect local demographics or policing priorities, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. The data also shows that shoplifting rates in Caldicot (0.4 per 1,000) were 18% below the UK average, suggesting that retail crime may be less prevalent in this area, due to lower foot traffic or effective local security measures. Overall, the crime profile in May 2023 highlights a balance between persistent challenges in violent crime and relatively lower rates in property-related offences, with seasonal factors likely playing a significant role in shaping these trends.

The most striking shift in May 2023 was a 200% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, represents a dramatic month-on-month change and may signal emerging local issues or shifts in policing focus. Concurrently, burglary and robbery both saw 100% increases, with two incidents each recorded for the first time this year, potentially linked to seasonal changes in property security or increased opportunistic crime during May’s extended daylight hours. Conversely, other theft fell by 60% (from 5 to 2), and public order offences decreased by 9.1% (from 11 to 10), though the latter’s decline was modest. Violent crimes in Caldicot were 47% above the UK average for this category, with 4.1 per 1,000 residents compared to the national rate of 2.8 per 1,000. This gap is particularly pronounced given the area’s likely rural or semi-rural character, which typically sees lower rates of violent crime. Anti-social behaviour also exceeded the UK average by 58%, at 2.1 per 1,000 residents, suggesting a need for targeted community engagement or environmental interventions. For residents, the most immediate insight is the spike in drug-related incidents, which may warrant heightened awareness of local drug activity or increased police presence in specific areas.

Caldicot’s crime rate in May 2023 rose by 31.8% compared to the previous month’s rate of 6.4 per 1,000, marking a significant upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, translating to a local monthly exposure rate of 1 reported crime for every 119 residents. This figure provides context for residents, showing that while crime is present, the likelihood of being directly affected remains relatively low compared to larger urban areas. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Caldicot’s 9,855 residents accounted for 83 total crimes, a rate that, while slightly above the UK average, is still lower than many comparable towns. The 5% gap between Caldicot’s rate and the UK average (8.4 vs 8.0) may reflect the area’s smaller size and potentially lower levels of concentrated deprivation. The previous month’s rate of 6.4 per 1,000 suggests that the recent increase could be influenced by transient factors such as seasonal events or temporary spikes in specific crime types, such as the surge in drug-related offences. For local authorities, the comparison to the UK average underscores the importance of maintaining targeted interventions without overestimating the scale of the issue, as the overall crime profile remains relatively manageable within the context of a built-up area in Monmouthshire.