Wem Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly half of all reported crimes in Wem during August 2024, with 26 incidents recorded—4.1 per 1,000 residents. This category alone was 52% above the UK average, underscoring its dominance in the area’s crime profile. The overall crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents placed Wem 6.1% above the UK average, a figure that reflects a combination of local challenges and seasonal factors. August, as a peak holiday month, likely contributed to the surge in property-related crimes such as criminal damage and arson, which rose to 7 cases (1.1 per 1,000 residents)—77% above the UK average. This pattern aligns with the area’s character as a small town with limited retail and leisure infrastructure, which may amplify the impact of transient populations during holidays. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 31% below the UK average, suggesting that community cohesion and local policing efforts may be effective in curbing such incidents. The breakdown of crimes also revealed a stark contrast: while violence and property crimes dominated, theft from the person and vehicle crime remained relatively low, at 0.6 and 0.3 per 1,000 residents respectively. This could be attributed to Wem’s built-up area status within Shropshire, where compact living and local policing may reduce opportunities for certain types of theft. Seasonal factors, such as the timing of school breaks and the influx of holidaymakers, may have contributed to the rise in public order offences, which saw a 300% increase month-on-month. However, the absence of a clear correlation between population density and crime rates suggests that other local factors—such as community engagement or targeted policing—may be playing a role in shaping the area’s crime picture.

August 2024 saw a 300% increase in public order offences, rising from 1 to 4 incidents, marking the most significant month-on-month jump in any category. Criminal damage and arson also surged by 133.3%, reflecting a shift in the crime mix towards property-related incidents. This contrasts with a 50% decline in other theft, which fell from 4 to 2 cases. Violence and sexual offences, the most common crime category, remained 52% above the UK average at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, highlighting a persistent challenge for local authorities. The surge in public order offences may be linked to the area’s seasonal dynamics, such as increased foot traffic during the August bank holiday period. Residents should be particularly aware of this trend, as it suggests a heightened need for community vigilance in public spaces.

Wem’s crime rate in August 2024 rose to 8.7 per 1,000 residents, a 48.7% increase from 5.9 per 1,000 in July. This marks the highest monthly rate since the start of the year, though it remains below the UK average for the same period. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day, translating to one reported crime for every 115 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure underscores that while crime is present, it does not reach a level that would overwhelm the community’s capacity to manage it. The population-scaled perspective shows that Wem’s residents face a slightly higher risk of encountering crime than the national average, but the absolute numbers remain manageable. Seasonal factors, such as the influx of holidaymakers and the timing of school breaks, may partly explain the upward trend, though no definitive link can be drawn without further analysis.