Witham St Hughs Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Witham St Hughs reported a crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents in January 2024, placing it 63.5% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This marked a significant departure from the typical seasonal patterns seen in similar areas, where January often sees a dip in crime due to reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (accounting for 46.7% of all reported incidents), followed by other theft (20.0%) and public order offences (13.3%). These figures align with the area's character as a built-up zone within a rural district, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to lower crime rates. Violence and sexual offences, while rising sharply in January, remain 50% below the UK average for this category, suggesting a broader trend of reduced violent crime in the region. The low rate of property crimes (33.3% of total incidents) further reinforces this pattern, consistent with areas where residential density and local policing efforts may reduce opportunities for burglary or vehicle crime. Seasonal factors, including the post-holiday period and reduced foot traffic in local businesses, may have influenced the crime profile, though the exact interplay between these elements and reported incidents remains complex. The data highlights a generally safe environment, with crime rates well below national benchmarks, though the sharp rise in violent offences deserves closer attention from local authorities.

January 2024 saw a dramatic increase in violence and sexual offences, rising by 250% compared to December 2023, with seven incidents reported—more than double the previous month’s total. Other theft also surged by 200%, from one to three incidents, while public order offences doubled from zero to two. These spikes contrast sharply with decreases in criminal damage and arson (-66.7%) and anti-social behaviour (-50%), which may reflect seasonal shifts in community activity or targeted policing efforts. The violent crime rate in Witham St Hughs (1.3 per 1,000) remains 50% below the UK average for this category, underscoring the area’s relative safety despite the month-on-month rise. Property crimes accounted for only 33.3% of all incidents, compared to 66.7% for violent offences—a reversal of the usual crime mix seen in urban centres where property crime typically dominates. This shift could indicate heightened tensions in local social spaces or increased reporting of violent incidents during colder months. Residents may find the low overall crime rate reassuring, though the rapid rise in violent offences highlights the need for ongoing community engagement and targeted interventions.

The crime rate in Witham St Hughs rose from 1.6 per 1,000 in December 2023 to 2.7 per 1,000 in January 2024, marking a 67.1% increase. Despite this, the area remains exceptionally safe compared to the UK average, with crime rates 63.5% below the national benchmark. On a daily basis, only 0.48 crimes were reported per day in January, a figure so low it effectively translates to near-zero risk for most residents. Monthly exposure calculations show that, over the course of January, one crime occurred for every 365 residents—a rate far lower than the UK average of 1 in 138 residents for the same period. With a population of 5,473, the local context further underscores the area’s safety: even with the rise in violent offences, the absolute number of crimes (15) is minuscule compared to larger urban centres. This suggests that the increase in January may be an isolated fluctuation rather than a systemic trend, possibly influenced by transient factors such as post-holiday gatherings or temporary disruptions in community routines. The low crime rate, combined with the stark contrast to UK averages, reinforces Witham St Hughs’ position as a relatively secure built-up area within a rural district.