Southam (Stratford-on-Avon) Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Southam (Stratford-on-Avon) recorded a crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in September 2023, placing it 32.5% below the UK average of 8.0. This low rate, despite seasonal shifts, reflects the area's character as a small built-up area with limited urban density. The most striking category was 'other theft', which occurred at 1.0 per 1,000 residents—67% above the UK average of 0.6. This anomaly may relate to specific local factors, such as the presence of heritage sites or tourist attractions that could create opportunities for theft. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (36.4% of total), anti-social behaviour (20.5%), and other theft (18.2%), creating a mix of interpersonal and property-related incidents. The seasonal context of September—back-to-school periods and university freshers' week—likely influenced patterns, with increased youth activity contributing to anti-social behaviour. However, the area's overall safety remains evident, with violent crime rates (2.0 per 1,000) 27% below the UK average. This suggests that while specific categories may deviate from national trends, the broader crime profile remains markedly safer than the UK average. The balance between property and violent crime was nearly equal, with 16 incidents each, though both categories were below the UK average. This even split may reflect the area's compact nature, where residential and commercial spaces are intermingled, making it difficult to isolate crime types strictly by location.

September saw a 200% increase in public order offences, rising from one incident to three, marking a sharp upward trend. Similarly, criminal damage and arson doubled, while shoplifting incidents—previously absent—jumped to two. These spikes contrast with a 5.9% decrease in violence and sexual offences, which fell from 17 to 16. The category of 'other theft' stood out as 67% above the UK average, suggesting a specific local factor driving these incidents. This divergence from national trends may reflect seasonal dynamics, such as increased foot traffic during university freshers' week or changes in retail activity. For residents, the 200% rise in public order offences is a concrete data point indicating areas for local policing focus. The balance between property and violent crime shifted slightly, with property crimes (16) and violent crimes (16) remaining evenly matched. This even split contrasts with broader UK patterns where property crime often dominates.

Southam's crime rate in September 2023 rose 15.8% compared to the previous month, climbing from 4.6 to 5.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a shift in crime patterns during the transition from summer to autumn. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately one crime reported every 30 days, translating to a local daily figure of roughly 1.5 crimes per day. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 187 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban areas. While this figure is specific to Southam, it provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. The population of 8,208 means that crime remains rare enough to be noticeable individually, though not frequent enough to dominate local life. This balance between low overall rates and occasional spikes in specific categories highlights the area's unique position within the UK crime profile.