Waltham Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Waltham's crime picture in September 2024, accounting for 65.2% of all reported crimes. With a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents, the built-up area within North East Lincolnshire recorded 55.8% fewer crimes than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national trends highlights the area's unique dynamics, where violent crime—particularly assault and sexual offences—far outweighs property-related incidents. While property crimes numbered just 4 (0.6 per 1,000), the 15 violent crimes (2.2 per 1,000) were 16% below the UK average for this category. Seasonal factors likely contributed to this pattern: as September marks the start of the academic year and university freshers' week, increased social activity in public spaces may have created conditions conducive to violent incidents. The relatively low levels of anti-social behaviour (4.4% of total crimes) and public order offences (8.7%) suggest that community cohesion and local policing efforts may be mitigating some risks. The area's crime profile diverges from typical urban patterns, where property crime often dominates. This suggests a combination of local demographics, land use, and policing priorities that warrant further analysis. The low overall rate compared to the UK average underscores the effectiveness of existing crime prevention strategies, though the sharp rise in violent crime warrants closer examination.

September 2024 saw a dramatic 114.3% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 7 to 15 incidents. This surge, combined with a 100% jump in criminal damage and arson cases (0 to 2), indicates a shift in crime patterns that may be linked to seasonal factors such as university freshers' week. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 66.7% (3 to 1), and other theft cases decreased by 50% (2 to 1), suggesting that targeted interventions or natural fluctuations in community activity may have had a dampening effect. The category of theft from the person saw a 100% increase from 0 to 1 incident, marking a rare outlier where Waltham's rate (0.2 per 1,000) was 25% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This anomaly, though statistically minor, may point to isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. The breakdown of crimes reveals a 65.2% share for violent crimes, compared to 8.7% for property crimes—a stark contrast to typical urban areas where property crime often dominates. Residents may find the low rate of anti-social behaviour (8.7% of total crimes) particularly noteworthy, as it suggests that local initiatives to address nuisance behaviour may be working. However, the significant rise in violent crime highlights the need for continued vigilance and community engagement during periods of increased social activity.

Waltham's crime rate in September 2024 (3.4 per 1,000) represents a 9.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.1 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 30-day period, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the scale of incidents relative to the local population. When contextualised against the area's population of 6,804 residents, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 296 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than many comparable urban areas. This statistic, while seemingly low, must be interpreted with care: it reflects the total number of crimes reported, not the number of victims or the frequency of repeat incidents. The comparison to the UK average further underscores Waltham's distinct position: while the area's overall rate is 55.8% below the national figure, its violent crime rate (2.2 per 1,000) is 16% below the UK average, suggesting that the area's crime prevention strategies are particularly effective in reducing violent incidents. However, the increase in violent crime from August to September raises questions about whether this trend is part of a seasonal pattern or a response to specific local factors. The low levels of property crime (0.6 per 1,000) contrast sharply with the UK average, which may reflect the area's built-up nature and the presence of local policing initiatives that deter burglary and theft. These comparisons highlight both the successes and the challenges in maintaining a safe environment in Waltham.