Witham St Hughs Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

April 2024 saw Witham St Hughs maintain an exceptionally low crime rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 68.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a consistent pattern of low-level crime in a built-up area within North Kesteven, where community policing and limited commercial activity likely contribute to the subdued rates. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences (38.5% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (23.1%) and public order offences (15.4%). These figures align with the area’s character as a small, rural-adjacent settlement with minimal nightlife infrastructure, which may explain the relatively low levels of alcohol-fuelled violence typically associated with larger urban centres. Seasonal factors, including the Easter holiday and spring weather, likely influenced the crime profile, with increased outdoor activity potentially contributing to public order incidents. However, the overall rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting effective local crime prevention measures or a naturally low-risk environment. The breakdown of offences shows that property crimes (3) were outnumbered by violent crimes (5), a reversal of the typical UK trend where property crime dominates. This may indicate a higher proportion of personal disputes or domestic incidents in the area, though the small sample size means conclusions must remain cautious. The low rate of shoplifting (15.4% of total crimes) further supports the notion of a community with limited retail presence, where opportunities for such offences are fewer.

The most striking month-on-month change was a 100% increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 2 incidents. This surge aligns with the Easter holiday period, when increased foot traffic and outdoor gatherings may have created conditions conducive to disorderly conduct. Similarly, shoplifting offences also doubled (1 to 2), though the small absolute numbers (just 2 incidents) suggest this remains a rare occurrence in the area. Anti-social behaviour rose by 50%, from 2 to 3 reports, potentially linked to seasonal transitions as the community adjusted to warmer weather and longer evenings. Violence and sexual offences (5 incidents) remained 65% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the national trend where such crimes often dominate. The significant 66.7% decrease in 'other theft' (from 3 to 1) may reflect a combination of seasonal factors and effective local policing. For residents, the most immediately relevant statistic is the 100% increase in public order offences, which could signal the need for heightened community vigilance during peak holiday periods. The absence of major property crime spikes also underscores the area’s continued safety profile, though the small sample size means trends must be interpreted with care.

April 2024 marked an 8.7% increase in Witham St Hughs’ crime rate compared to the previous month (2.2 per 1,000 to 2.4 per 1,000), though this remains far below the UK average. Over 30 days, the area recorded just 13 total crimes, equating to approximately 0 crimes per day—a figure that would be virtually impossible to detect in daily life. When scaled to the population of 5,473 residents, this translates to 1 reported crime for roughly every 421 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is exceptionally low, even when compared to other rural or semi-rural areas with similar population sizes. The previous month’s rate (2.2 per 1,000) was already 68.8% below the UK average, and the April increase does not significantly alter this stark contrast. For context, the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000 implies that in a similar-sized area, over 40 crimes would be expected in a single month. Witham St Hughs’ figures suggest a community where crime is not only rare but also deeply mitigated by local factors such as low population density, limited commercial activity, or strong community cohesion. While the 8.7% rise is statistically notable, it is unlikely to be perceived by residents as a meaningful change in safety, given the overall context of such a low crime environment.