Chepstow Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Chepstow's crime rate in May 2023 stood at 8.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 6.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to one reported crime for every 117 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the tangible risk faced by local households and businesses. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 47.1% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.7%) and shoplifting (8.8%). These patterns may partly explain the seasonal context of May, with longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising contributing to higher incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour. The town's proximity to tourist attractions and its role as a commuter hub for nearby cities could also influence these trends, as areas with high foot traffic often see spikes in retail-related offences. However, the UK average for violence and sexual offences was 2.8 per 1,000, compared to Chepstow's 4.0 per 1,000, highlighting a 44% discrepancy that may reflect localised factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies. While property crimes remained relatively low (22 total), the dominance of violent crime over property crime suggests a shift in the town's crime profile, with public safety concerns taking precedence over traditional theft and burglary. This contrast with the UK average, where property crimes typically constitute a larger share of total offences, further illustrates Chepstow's unique character as a mixed-use area with both residential and commercial zones.

May 2023 saw dramatic shifts in Chepstow's crime profile, with shoplifting increasing by 800% compared to April, rising from one reported incident to nine. This surge may reflect the start of the summer tourist season, which typically sees higher foot traffic in retail areas. Other crime also spiked by 400%, jumping from one to five incidents, though the category's definition remains unclear without further breakdown. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, dropping from 14 to 7, possibly due to targeted policing efforts during the Easter holiday period. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 42.9%, from 28 to 16, suggesting that local initiatives or seasonal factors such as school holidays may have temporarily reduced disturbances. Chepstow's violent crime rate was higher than the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 4.0 per 1,000 compared to the national figure of 2.8 per 1,000. This 44% gap could indicate a need for enhanced community support services or improved lighting in high-risk areas. Meanwhile, shoplifting's 63% above the UK average (0.8 per 1,000 vs 0.5 per 1,000) highlights the town's vulnerability to retail crime, likely driven by its location along major transport routes and its appeal to tourists. Residents concerned about personal safety may find the 47.1% share of violent crimes particularly pertinent, as this category accounted for nearly half of all reported incidents.

Chepstow's crime rate in May 2023 rose by 18.6% compared to the previous month, climbing from 7.2 to 8.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase places the town's daily crime count at approximately three incidents per day, a figure that, while seemingly modest, represents a significant shift from April's rate. Over the course of the month, the 1-in-117 residents statistic illustrates the frequency with which local households may encounter crime, though this monthly aggregate does not account for variations in individual risk. When compared to the UK average, Chepstow's higher violent crime rate and lower property crime rate suggest a distinct local profile. The town's population of 11,961 means that each resident faces a slightly higher chance of experiencing a violent crime than the national average, though this is tempered by the relatively low incidence of property-related offences. The 6.2% gap between Chepstow and the UK average is most pronounced in violent crime categories, which may reflect the area's demographics or the impact of seasonal factors such as the extended evenings in May. While the daily crime count provides a snapshot of activity, the monthly exposure metric offers a more comprehensive view of how crime permeates daily life, particularly for those living in or frequenting the town's more populated areas.