Waltham Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The most unexpected shift in Waltham’s crime profile this February was the doubling of vehicle crime, which rose from zero to one reported incident. This contrasts sharply with the overall crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure 64.8% below the UK average of 7.1. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 41.2% of all crimes, though they decreased by 30% from January. The area’s crime picture reflects a low outdoor activity season, with winter conditions likely reducing opportunities for public order offences and theft from the person. However, the sudden emergence of vehicle crime—typically associated with warmer months and increased traffic—raises questions about local factors such as unsecured vehicles or temporary changes in parking patterns. The breakdown shows property crimes (9) slightly outnumbered violent crimes (7), a shift from previous months, though both categories remained well below UK averages. With a population of 6,804, the low crime rate suggests Waltham’s built-up area may benefit from a combination of community cohesion and limited high-risk zones. The seasonal lull in outdoor activity, coupled with the area’s small-scale nature, likely contributes to its consistently lower crime rates compared to larger urban centres.

February saw three crime types surge by 100% compared to January: vehicle crime, other theft, and burglary. This spike in property-related offences, despite an overall decline in violent crime, indicates a shift in criminal activity patterns. Burglary in Waltham rose to 0.4 per 1,000 residents—33% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. This anomaly may reflect targeted opportunities in residential areas, though the small number of incidents (three) limits definitive conclusions. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 30%, from 10 to 7, remaining 60% below the UK average. The stark contrast between property and violent crime trends highlights the area’s unique dynamics. For residents, the 100% increase in vehicle crime—now at 0.2 per 1,000—serves as a practical reminder to secure vehicles during colder months. Robbery, at 0.2 per 1,000, also exceeded the UK average by 122%. These figures suggest that while Waltham remains a low-crime area, specific vulnerabilities in property and vehicle security require attention.

Waltham’s crime rate in February (2.5 per 1,000) was 6.4% higher than January’s 2.4 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 29-day month, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 400 residents. This places Waltham firmly in the lower end of the UK crime spectrum, with its population of 6,804 facing significantly fewer incidents than the national average. The 1-in-400 resident ratio underscores the area’s safety, though the recent increases in vehicle crime and burglary suggest localized risks that may warrant closer monitoring. When compared to the UK average, Waltham’s violent crime rate (1.0 per 1,000) was 60% below the national figure, while anti-social behaviour remained 81% below the UK average. These disparities highlight the built-up area’s distinct characteristics, likely shaped by its smaller scale, limited commercial density, and seasonal factors. For residents, the data reinforces that while crime is rare, awareness of specific vulnerabilities—particularly vehicle security—remains important.