Bidford-on-Avon Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

December 2023 marked a mixed picture for crime in Bidford-on-Avon, with a notable 41.7% reduction in the overall rate compared to the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000 residents. The local rate of 4.2 per 1,000 reflects a relatively low-crime environment, but the breakdown of incidents reveals areas requiring attention. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 40% of all crimes, a proportion significantly higher than the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 (35% below). This concentration may stem from the area’s small, close-knit community, where interpersonal conflicts are more likely to escalate. Property crimes, though lower than violent crimes, included burglary at a rate 71% above the UK average, potentially linked to the built-up nature of the area and the proximity of homes to main roads. Seasonal factors also played a role: December’s short days and holiday-related closures may have contributed to the 23% drop in crime compared to November, though the rise in weapons possession and other crimes suggests that some challenges persist. The month’s context — a peak in Christmas shopping and the start of the party season — likely influenced both the frequency and nature of incidents, with dark evenings and empty homes creating opportunities for certain types of crime. While the overall rate remains low, the specific increases in weapon-related crimes and other unclassified categories indicate that local authorities and residents must remain vigilant as the year draws to a close.

December 2023 brought troubling increases in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 100% as two incidents were reported — a stark contrast to the single incident in November. This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a potential shift in local criminal activity patterns. Concurrently, other crime also doubled, and theft from the person — a category previously absent in November — emerged as a new concern. These developments, while not statistically significant on their own, warrant attention from residents and local authorities. Meanwhile, burglary remained a notable concern, with a rate 71% above the UK average (0.6 vs 0.3 per 1,000). This anomaly may reflect the area’s built-up character, where homes are more concentrated and potentially more vulnerable to targeted theft. On a positive note, vehicle crime fell by 70% (10 to 3 incidents), likely influenced by reduced traffic and fewer commuters during the holiday season. However, the sharp rise in weapons possession and other crime categories indicates that some underlying issues may require closer scrutiny.

December 2023 saw Bidford-on-Avon’s crime rate fall to 4.2 per 1,000 residents, a 23.0% decline from the previous month’s rate of 5.5 per 1,000. This reduction, though modest, aligns with the seasonal pattern of lower crime activity in the winter months, when population movement and retail activity slow. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for continued vigilance. When scaled to the local population of 7,098, the monthly exposure translates to one crime for every 237 residents — a statistic that, while manageable, highlights the direct impact of even minor incidents on the community. The drop in overall crime rate contrasts with the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, but the local context — a small built-up area with limited commercial density — likely plays a role in sustaining this lower baseline. This comparison suggests that Bidford-on-Avon’s crime profile remains distinct from larger urban centres, where higher population density and greater economic activity drive rates upward.