Stratford-upon-Avon Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

November 2023 in Stratford-upon-Avon revealed a crime profile shaped by unexpected spikes and seasonal dynamics. The most surprising finding was the 100% increase in possession of weapons, a category that rose from zero to two incidents—a sudden and stark anomaly. This category, though small in scale, is 67% above the UK average and may reflect the influence of local events such as Bonfire Night, which can heighten tensions in public spaces. The overall crime rate for the area stood at 9.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure 24% higher than the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This disparity highlights Stratford-upon-Avon’s position as a historically significant town with a unique blend of tourism, retail activity, and residential communities. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 34.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.6%) and shoplifting (11.7%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a major tourist destination and a hub for cultural events, which can drive both economic activity and crime risk. The seasonal context of November—marked by the transition to darker evenings, Black Friday shopping, and Bonfire Night—likely contributed to fluctuations in crime types. For instance, the surge in criminal damage and arson (up 83.3%) may be linked to the increased use of fireworks and the associated public gatherings, while the drop in vehicle crime (down 63.6%) could be attributed to reduced traffic during the holiday season. Shoplifting, consistently 100% above the UK average, remained a persistent issue, likely driven by the town’s retail presence and high footfall from tourists and shoppers. These findings underscore the combination of local geography, demographics, and seasonal rhythms in shaping crime patterns.

November 2023 saw a striking 100% increase in possession of weapons, rising from zero to two incidents—a sudden spike that contrasts with the overall decline in crime rates. This category, while small in volume, is 67% above the UK average and may reflect heightened tensions or seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night events. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson surged by 83.3%, jumping from 12 to 22 incidents, a sharp contrast to the 40% reduction in vehicle crime, which fell from 22 to 8. This shift may be linked to darker evenings and seasonal festivities, which could have altered patterns of outdoor activity and property vulnerability. Shoplifting, consistently 100% above the UK average, remained a concern despite no month-on-month change, highlighting the persistent challenge of retail crime in the town’s historic high streets. The drop in burglary by 50% from 12 to 6 incidents, while welcome, may be partly explained by the holiday season reducing opportunities for opportunistic theft.

Stratford-upon-Avon's crime rate in November 2023 stood at 9.3 per 1,000 residents, a 2.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.6 per 1,000. This slight decline, though modest, suggests a possible stabilisation in local crime trends following the seasonal peak of October. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 107 residents—a figure that contextualises the scale of crime relative to the area’s population of 29,218. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately nine crimes reported each day, a localised metric that highlights the frequency of incidents without overemphasising isolated events. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the rate remains above the UK average, the monthly exposure of 1-in-107 residents is a useful benchmark for residents assessing risk in their own neighbourhoods. This data also underscores the importance of local policing efforts and community initiatives in addressing specific crime types that may be affecting the area.