Wem Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wem's October 2024 crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents places it 37.0% below the UK average of 8.1, a stark contrast to the national profile. The most significant category, violence and sexual offences, accounted for 43.8% of all recorded crimes, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000—18% below the UK average. This suggests a combination of local demographics and crime patterns. Anti-social behaviour followed with 12.5% of incidents, and criminal damage and arson rose sharply in October, though their rates remain below UK averages. The seasonal context of October—shorter days, Halloween, and the transition into colder weather—may have influenced patterns, potentially increasing indoor activity or reducing visibility for outdoor crimes. However, the sharp rise in bicycle theft, at 150% above the UK average, stands out as a clear outlier. This could be attributed to factors like increased cycling during the autumn or specific local vulnerabilities. The overall profile of Wem, a small built-up area within Shropshire, suggests that while violent crime dominates, the area's lower overall rate may reflect its rural-adjacent character and limited urban infrastructure compared to larger UK cities.

October 2024 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson (+200%), burglary (+100%), and bicycle theft (+100%) compared to September. These spikes contrast with steep declines in public order offences (-66.7%) and other crime (-50%). The crime mix shifted toward property-related incidents, with burglary and shoplifting rising, though violent crimes still dominated at 43.8% of all recorded offences. Bicycle theft emerged as a striking outlier, with a rate of 0.2 per 1,000—150% above the UK average. This anomaly may reflect local factors such as cycling infrastructure or seasonal activity. The sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, from one to three incidents, could hint at increased vandalism during darker autumn evenings. Residents may note that while overall crime remains low, targeted categories like bicycle theft require specific awareness.

Wem's crime rate in October 2024 fell by 22.0% compared to the previous month, dropping from 6.5 to 5.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends in the autumn, when reduced daylight and cooler temperatures may temper outdoor activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, highlights the consistent presence of criminal activity in a small built-up area. When scaled to the local population of 6,299, the monthly exposure means that one reported crime occurred for every 197 residents. This rate is lower than the UK average, yet specific categories—like bicycle theft—show stark deviations. The population-scaled perspective underscores that while the overall crime burden is light, targeted issues require attention. Residents may find the daily crime count particularly useful for understanding local risks, even as the broader context suggests Wem remains a relatively safe place to live.