Andover Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Andover recorded 305 crimes across its population of 49,613 residents, translating to a crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 individuals. This figure represents a 12.7% reduction compared to the UK's overall average of 7.1 per 1,000, marking Andover as a relatively safer area nationally. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.4% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.1%) and public order offences (10.2%). These rates contrast with the UK averages, where violence and sexual offences were 14% higher and anti-social behaviour 15% higher. The seasonal context of December—characterized by extended dark evenings, the Christmas shopping peak, and the potential for empty homes during the holiday period—likely influenced these patterns. Violence and sexual offences, which often correlate with alcohol consumption and social gatherings, may have been exacerbated by the festive season's increased social activity. However, the significant drop in burglary and vehicle crime compared to the UK average suggests that local factors, such as heightened security measures during the holidays, may have played a role in reducing property-related crimes. The overall crime rate, while lower than the national average, still reflects the impact of local dynamics, including the presence of retail and commercial areas that could contribute to shoplifting and public order issues. These findings illustrate the importance of understanding how seasonal and community-specific factors shape crime trends, even within a generally safer regional context.

December 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with several categories experiencing significant changes. Other crime increased by 100%, rising from 5 to 10 incidents, a jump that may reflect unreported issues or heightened awareness. Possession of weapons also doubled, from 2 to 4 cases, though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. Conversely, burglary fell sharply by 70%, from 20 to 6 incidents, potentially linked to holiday-related home security measures. Vehicle crime decreased by 55.6%, from 18 to 8, influenced by reduced outdoor activity during colder weather. Public order offences stood out as 33% above the UK average, a contrast to other categories like shoplifting, which were 30% below the national rate. These variations highlight the combination of local factors, such as seasonal shopping and holiday-related dynamics, which may influence crime trends differently across categories.

Andover's crime rate in December 2024 fell to 6.2 per 1,000 residents, an 8.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.7. This decline places the area 12.7% below the UK average, a consistent trend for the region. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly 10 crimes reported each day in December, reflecting a steady pace of incidents over the 31-day period. When scaled to the population, this equates to one reported crime for every 163 residents over the course of the month, a figure that provides context for the likelihood of encountering crime in the area. The drop in burglary and vehicle crime, which fell by 70% and 55.6% respectively, contrasts with the rise in other crime and possession of weapons, suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. These figures, when viewed alongside the area's population size, illustrate the relative safety of Andover compared to the UK as a whole, despite localized fluctuations.