Swindon Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For residents of Swindon, the crime rate in May 2024 translates to 8.1 crimes per 1,000 people, placing the area 3.6% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure means that over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 123 residents. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.1%) and shoplifting (9.5%). These patterns align with Swindon's character as a major urban centre with a mix of retail, industrial, and residential zones. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays and extended evening hours—likely contributes to increased socialising and associated crime. While violent crime rates remain consistent with the area's profile, the proportion of property crimes (29.2% of total) is lower than the UK average, suggesting effective local measures in this category. The breakdown also reveals a significant spike in anti-social behaviour compared to national figures, which may reflect the town's density and the concentration of younger populations in certain areas. These statistics illustrate how crime patterns are shaped by both local demographics and broader seasonal trends.

May 2024 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with drugs-related offences surging by 95.7% (23 to 45 incidents) compared to April. This increase may partly explain the 17% rise in anti-social behaviour, which itself was 17% above the UK average. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 16.9% (77 to 64 incidents), potentially reflecting improved security measures in car parks or reduced traffic congestion during the month. The decrease in burglary (39 to 32 incidents, -17.9%) and bicycle theft (22 to 16 incidents, -27.3%) suggests ongoing success in targeting property crime through community initiatives. Violent crime, while remaining the most common category, was 1% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), indicating that Swindon's violent crime profile is slightly more controlled than the national trend. Residents may find the 25% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average (0.6 vs 0.8 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as it could signal effective retail security practices in the town's high streets.

The crime rate in May 2024 (8.1 per 1,000) represents a 15.8% increase from April's 7.0 per 1,000, though it remains below the UK average. With 1527 crimes reported over 31 days, this equates to roughly 49 crimes per day—slightly lower than the national average but consistent with Swindon's urban profile. When scaled to the population of 187,986, the monthly exposure of 1-in-123 residents reflects a moderate risk level for everyday activities. This figure is lower than the UK average monthly exposure, which is typically around 1-in-110. The previous month's rate was 7.0 per 1,000, highlighting a seasonal uptick that may be linked to May's bank holidays and longer evenings. While the overall rate is still below the UK benchmark, the 17% increase in anti-social behaviour compared to April raises questions about how local factors—such as youth demographics or event density—are influencing crime patterns. The daily crime count, though not directly comparable to national figures, provides a concrete measure for residents to contextualise their personal risk, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic or nightlife activity.