Wellesbourne Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 8,321, Wellesbourne recorded 22 crimes in December 2023, translating to 2.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 63.9% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to the national picture. The crime profile highlights a balance between violent and property offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 36.4% of all incidents (8 crimes) and shoplifting contributing 18.2% (4 crimes). Anti-social behaviour and public order offences each made up 9.1% of the total. Seasonal factors likely influenced the pattern: December’s long evenings, holiday travel, and empty homes over the festive period may have contributed to the mix of offences. While violent crime remains a concern, the overall low rate aligns with Wellesbourne’s likely rural character, where community cohesion and lower population density may reduce opportunities for crime. The spike in shoplifting, however, suggests targeted retail theft during the Christmas shopping peak, a pattern consistent with other small towns during festive periods.

December 2023 saw a 300% increase in shoplifting compared to November, rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This surge aligns with the Christmas shopping season, where retail areas may become more vulnerable to theft. Conversely, other theft dropped by 75% (from 4 to 1), potentially linked to reduced foot traffic in non-essential stores over the holidays. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 11.1% (from 9 to 8), though they remain the most common category, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents—62% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Shoplifting, while still relatively low, edged 2% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, a minor anomaly that may reflect local retail patterns. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences both fell significantly, by 33.3% and 100% respectively, suggesting a quieter month in terms of disruptive incidents. These shifts highlight how seasonal rhythms and community dynamics can shape crime trends in smaller built-up areas.

The crime rate in December 2023 (2.6 per 1,000) represents an 18.5% decline from November’s rate of 3.2 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend over the final month of the year. On a daily basis, Wellesbourne experienced approximately 1 crime per day in December—a figure that, while seemingly modest, underscores the area’s consistent low-level crime environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 378 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low compared to the UK average. Given Wellesbourne’s population of 8,321, this translates to a 1-in-378 chance of being directly involved in a crime, a statistic that contrasts sharply with the national context where residents face a much higher likelihood. The area’s built-up status within Stratford-on-Avon—a historically significant town with a mix of rural and urban elements—likely contributes to its lower crime rates, as does the potential for strong community oversight during the quieter winter months. These figures offer reassurance to residents that, despite isolated spikes in specific categories, the overall safety profile remains markedly favourable.