Welshpool Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Welshpool's crime profile in October 2023 revealed a stark outlier: possession of weapons at 0.4 per 1,000 residents, 471% above the UK average. This category, though small in absolute numbers (3 incidents), highlights a significant deviation from national trends. The area's overall crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 residents placed it 15% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. Violent crimes dominated the landscape, accounting for 43.6% of all reported incidents (27 cases), with violence and sexual offences making up the largest single category. Anti-social behaviour (14.5%) and public order offences (14.5%) followed closely, both showing marked disparities from UK averages. The seasonal context of October—darker evenings, the start of the Halloween period, and clocks going back—may partly explain the elevated levels of violence and disorder, though local factors likely play a role. Violent crimes in Welshpool were 48% higher than the UK average for this category, while public order offences were 120% above the national rate. These figures suggest a combination of local dynamics, though the area's character as a built-up area within Powys—a largely rural county—may contribute to these patterns. The presence of higher-than-average violent crime could reflect unmet needs in community support services or challenges in policing effectiveness.

October 2023 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in Welshpool's crime mix. Vehicle crime surged by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents), a sharp increase that may relate to seasonal changes in road usage or targeted thefts. Shoplifting and burglary both rose by 33.3%, with shoplifting increasing from 3 to 4 incidents and burglary from 3 to 4. This uptick could be linked to the approach of Christmas shopping, though the timing of these increases remains unexplained by the data. Conversely, criminal damage and arson dropped by 81.8% (from 11 to 2), reflecting seasonal lulls or successful community initiatives. Anti-social behaviour also fell by 43.8% (from 16 to 9), indicating a temporary reduction in incidents during October. The most extreme deviation from the UK average was in possession of weapons, which was 471% higher than the national rate (0.1 per 1,000 vs 0.4 per 1,000). This figure, though small in absolute terms, raises questions about local patterns of weapon-related incidents. Residents may find the daily crime count of 2 incidents per day (62 total over 31 days) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels.

Welshpool's crime rate in October 2023 fell by 28.8% compared to the previous month's rate of 12.9 per 1,000, marking a notable decline. This reduction, however, still leaves the area 15% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, Welshpool recorded 2 crimes per day in October, a figure that, while low in absolute terms, reflects the area's relatively small population of 6,751 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 109 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average (which is not provided), suggests a higher proportion of incidents per capita. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Welshpool's crime burden is higher than the national average, despite its status as a built-up area within Powys—a largely rural county. This contrast may stem from the concentration of services and amenities in Welshpool's urban core, which could attract both residents and transient populations, contributing to higher crime rates. The sharp decline from the previous month's rate may reflect temporary factors such as seasonal changes or targeted policing efforts. Residents should note that while the monthly rate is lower than September's, the area remains above the UK average, highlighting the need for sustained community engagement and resource allocation.