Waltham Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Waltham's crime profile revealed a stark contrast between violent and property crime dynamics, with violent offences (10 incidents) slightly outpacing property crimes (8). This shift, while modest, may partly reflect seasonal factors such as the peak holiday period, which typically sees increased tourism and associated risks. The overall crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents placed Waltham 37% below the UK average of 8.1, a consistent trend that underscores the area's relative safety. Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime profile, accounting for 42.9% of all incidents, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000 — 53% above the UK average for this category. This anomaly may be linked to the area's built-up nature and potential pressures from transient populations during the summer months. Violence and sexual offences, at 1.5 per 1,000, were 43% below the UK average, suggesting effective local measures or demographic factors that limit such incidents. The seasonal context of August — a time of heightened tourism and empty homes — may explain the 200% increase in burglary.4 per 1,000 remained 18% above the UK average. This combination of local characteristics and national trends highlights the need for targeted strategies to address rising anti-social behaviour while maintaining the area's overall safety record.

August 2023 saw a 275% surge in anti-social behaviour, rising from 4 to 15 incidents, the most significant single-month increase in the category. This spike, coupled with a 200% rise in burglary and a 100% jump in vehicle crime, contrasts with a 66.7% drop in other theft. The balance between violent and property crimes shifted with 10 violent crimes reported compared to 8 property crimes — a reversal from previous months. Anti-social behaviour, at 2.2 per 1,000, exceeded the UK average by 53%, while violent crime rates were 43% below the national benchmark. This divergence suggests local factors, such as increased foot traffic during the peak holiday season, may partly explain the trends. Residents should note the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, which now constitutes 42.9% of all crimes reported in August.

Waltham's August 2023 crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents marks a 29.5% increase from July's 4.0 per 1,000, reflecting a shift in local patterns. Daily crime figures show an average of one reported incident per day over the 31-day period, a rate that, while low, suggests persistent community concerns. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 194 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the area's population of 6,804. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to population size, though the local increase from July highlights a need for ongoing monitoring. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Waltham remains significantly safer than the UK average, with crime levels 37% below the national benchmark. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour and burglary since July indicates potential seasonal or situational factors influencing local dynamics.