Westward Ho! Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

With a population of 5,321, the 9 crimes reported in Westward Ho! during June 2023 translate to a crime rate of 1.7 per 1,000 residents—80% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s position as one of the safest in the country, a status likely influenced by its coastal location and relatively small population. The crime breakdown reveals a focus on violent and sexual offences (44.4% of total) and anti-social behaviour (33.3%), with both categories far below their respective UK averages. Violence and sexual offences in the area are 73% below the UK rate of 2.9 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour is 59% below the national average of 1.5 per 1,000. These figures may be partly explained by the area’s geographic and demographic profile: a built-up coastal community with limited urban density, which could reduce opportunities for certain crimes. The seasonal context of June—marking the start of summer and the beginning of the tourism season—adds further nuance. While increased foot traffic and visitor numbers might typically correlate with higher crime rates in other areas, Westward Ho! appears to buck this trend. This could reflect the area’s effective policing, the community’s character, or the transient nature of tourism in the region, which may not yet have a significant impact on local crime patterns. The low rate of property crimes (1 incident) also highlights the area’s security profile, with no recorded burglaries or vehicle-related offences, a stark contrast to the UK average where property crimes dominate.

June 2023 saw a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, with one incident reported compared to none in May. This rise, though small in absolute terms, may reflect shifting patterns in local drug use or enforcement activity. Violence and sexual offences also rose by 33.3%, from 3 to 4 incidents, though this remains well below the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000 residents. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 57.1%, from 7 to 3 incidents, suggesting a possible reduction in public disturbances during the early summer months. The breakdown of crimes shows that violence and sexual offences (44.4% of total) and anti-social behaviour (33.3%) dominate, with both categories significantly below UK averages. For instance, anti-social behaviour in Westward Ho! is 59% below the UK rate of 1.5 per 1,000, a disparity that may be linked to the area’s smaller population and less densely populated character. These shifts in crime type and frequency offer residents a snapshot of local trends, though they do not yet indicate long-term patterns.

The crime rate in Westward Ho! for June 2023 (1.7 per 1,000 residents) represents an 18.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 2.1 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in the built-up area, where seasonal factors such as the start of summer and increased daylight hours may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain crimes. Daily crime statistics show that, over the 30 days of June, the area experienced approximately 0 crimes per day—a figure that underscores the relatively low crime frequency in this coastal community. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, the 9 reported crimes translate to roughly one incident for every 591 residents. This rate, while low, provides context for residents: over the course of the month, the likelihood of encountering a crime is minimal, reflecting the area’s small population and possibly its geographic isolation from major urban centres. The population-scaled perspective further highlights that, despite the small number of crimes, the rate remains significantly below the UK average, reinforcing the area’s position as a relatively safe environment compared to national benchmarks.