Westward Ho! Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Westward Ho!’s crime rate in August 2023 stood at 2.3 per 1,000 residents, a figure that places the area 71.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s unique position as a small, built-up coastal community with a distinct crime profile. The most common crimes recorded were anti-social behaviour (33.3% of total incidents), followed by violence and sexual offences (25.0%) and other theft (8.3%). These categories, while showing local variations, remain consistently below UK averages: anti-social behaviour is 44% below the national rate, violence and sexual offences are 77% below, and other theft is 68% below. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as August is a peak holiday month in this coastal area. The influx of tourists and temporary residents may contribute to a transient population dynamic that influences crime patterns, particularly in relation to burglary and anti-social behaviour. However, the area’s small size and community-focused environment may also act as a mitigating factor, reducing the likelihood of more severe or frequent incidents. This interplay between seasonal activity and local characteristics helps explain why Westward Ho! maintains such a low crime rate despite occasional spikes in specific categories. The data also suggests that property crimes, which accounted for 33.3% of total incidents (4 out of 12), remain a smaller proportion than violent crimes in this area, reflecting the limited density and commercial activity typical of a coastal built-up area. These findings highlight the importance of contextualizing crime statistics within the specific geographic and demographic framework of Westward Ho!, rather than drawing broad comparisons to larger urban centres.

August 2023 marked a dramatic surge in anti-social behaviour, which increased by 300% from one incident in July to four in August. This jump, though steep, still places the category 44% below the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences also rose sharply, doubling from one to three incidents—a 200% increase—yet remaining 77% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Burglary, which had not occurred in July, saw a 100% increase to one incident, still 41% below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. These shifts suggest a potential seasonal influence, as August is a peak holiday month with increased tourism and empty homes, which may temporarily elevate burglary risks. For residents, the data highlights the importance of vigilance during summer months when transient populations and seasonal activity patterns could contribute to localized spikes.

Westward Ho!’s crime rate in August 2023 rose to 2.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 100% increase from the previous month’s rate of 1.1 per 1,000. This shift, though significant, remains far below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Daily crime figures show an average of 0 reported crimes per day over the month, reflecting the area’s consistently low overall crime levels. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure means one crime occurred for every 443 residents, a statistic that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up coastal area. While the increase from July to August is notable, the area’s crime profile still diverges sharply from the UK average, with all major crime categories recorded at significantly lower rates. This suggests that local factors—such as the area’s small size, seasonal tourism patterns, and community-focused policing—continue to shape a crime environment distinct from larger, more densely populated regions.