Southam (Stratford-on-Avon) Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Southam (Stratford-on-Avon) recorded a crime rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, placing it 33.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, the lowest in the area's recent monthly history, reflects a combination of factors tied to the town's character as a historic market town with a relatively low population density. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.1% of all crimes, a proportion higher than the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000 vs 2.4 per 1,000 in Southam). This dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with broader UK trends, where property-related offences often dominate. The seasonal context of September—marking the start of the academic year and the return of students to local universities—may contribute to this pattern, though no definitive link can be drawn. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, remained 40% below the UK average, consistent with Southam's generally quiet public spaces and community-focused environment. The low rate of shoplifting (85% below the UK average) aligns with the area's smaller retail footprint compared to larger urban centres. These figures suggest a crime profile shaped by the area's rural-adjacent character and limited commercial activity, though further analysis would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.

September 2024 saw a striking 500% increase in other theft compared to August, with the category rising from 1 to 6 incidents. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in criminal damage and arson (from 0 to 5), suggests a shift in criminal focus during the month. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 45.5%, potentially reflecting the early impact of back-to-school routines and reduced late-night activity in local areas. The category of other theft, now at 0.7 per 1,000 residents, is 32% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000—a notable divergence that may indicate local vulnerabilities in unsecured property or targeted theft. Public order offences also decreased by 25%, though this decline was offset by a 29% increase in burglary compared to the UK average. Residents should be aware that while overall crime remains low, the rise in other theft and criminal damage underscores the need for vigilance in securing personal property, particularly in shared spaces or during the early autumn months when seasonal transitions may affect community behaviour patterns.

Southam's crime rate in September 2024 (5.1 per 1,000) marked a 20.2% increase from August's rate of 4.3 per 1,000, though it remains significantly below the UK average. Translating this to daily context, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the month, a figure that may feel more frequent to residents due to the small population of 8,208. On a monthly exposure basis, one crime occurred for every 195 residents—a rate that, while low, highlights the disproportionate impact of individual incidents in a tightly knit community. This statistic contrasts sharply with the UK-wide average, where the monthly exposure is typically higher due to larger populations and denser urban environments. The 20.2% month-on-month rise may be partially explained by the return of students to nearby universities, which could have temporarily increased foot traffic and created new opportunities for crime. However, the overall rate remains well below the UK average, reinforcing Southam's position as a relatively safe area despite the recent upward trend. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that even small changes in crime numbers have a visible impact on the local community, where the 8,208 residents collectively experience a crime rate that is 33.8% lower than the national average.