Waltham Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,804 residents, Waltham recorded 16 crimes in January 2024, equating to a crime rate of 2.4 per 1,000 people. This rate is 67.6% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, highlighting a stark contrast to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 62.5% of total incidents (10 crimes), followed by other crime (12.5%, 2 crimes) and criminal damage and arson (6.3%, 1 crime). This pattern is consistent with seasonal factors typical of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower outdoor crime rates. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Waltham’s rate is 42% below that benchmark. This could reflect the area’s relatively low population density and limited nightlife, which may reduce opportunities for such crimes. However, the small number of incidents means statistical fluctuations could influence these figures. The data also shows that property crime accounted for only 12.5% of total crimes, a sharp contrast to the UK average where property crimes typically dominate. This may suggest that Waltham’s built-up area has fewer commercial or residential targets compared to larger urban centres.

January 2024 saw a 16.7% decrease in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 12 to 10 incidents. This decline aligns with the post-holiday period, where reduced foot traffic in retail and public spaces may limit opportunities for such crimes. Conversely, other crime increased by 100% (from 0 to 2 incidents), a shift that could indicate underreported or newly emerging issues. The category of other crime in Waltham is 114% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, suggesting a localised anomaly that warrants further attention. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), a dramatic reduction that may reflect improved community engagement or seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during colder months. The breakdown also shows that Waltham’s rate for anti-social behaviour (0.2 per 1,000) is 80% below the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000, reinforcing the area’s relatively low levels of public disorder. Residents may find the 100% increase in other crime notable, as it represents a complete absence of such incidents in the previous month.

Waltham’s crime rate in January 2024 (2.4 per 1,000) marked a 23.9% decline from the previous month’s rate of 3.1 per 1,000, indicating a sustained period of low crime activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day in January, a figure that, while small, underscores the sporadic nature of incidents in this built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 425 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low compared to UK averages. For context, the UK’s average crime rate of 7.4 per 1,000 translates to roughly one in every 135 residents experiencing a crime monthly, highlighting Waltham’s significantly safer profile. This contrast is amplified by the area’s population size: with 6,804 residents, 16 crimes represents a manageable number that may reflect the community’s demographic characteristics, such as a lower proportion of young adults or a higher degree of social cohesion. The daily crime figure of one per day is also a useful benchmark for residents, offering a concrete sense of how frequently incidents occur in their local environment.