Westward Ho! Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2023, Westward Ho! maintained a crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 73.8% below the UK average of 8.0. This stark contrast highlights the area’s exceptionally low risk profile, particularly in a built-up coastal setting. The breakdown of crimes reveals that anti-social behaviour (63.6% of total) and violence and sexual offences (27.3%) were the most common categories, with property crimes accounting for just 9.1%. The dominance of anti-social behaviour aligns with the seasonal context of May, where longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising may contribute to heightened incidents. While the UK average for anti-social behaviour is 1.3 per 1,000, Westward Ho! matched this rate, suggesting a normalisation of such behaviour in a community setting. Violence and sexual offences, however, were 78% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the area’s smaller population and lower levels of alcohol-fuelled conflicts compared to larger urban centres. The low property crime rate, particularly the single incident of criminal damage and arson, contrasts with the higher proportion of violent offences, indicating that the area’s crime profile is shaped more by social interactions than by economic or property-related motives. This pattern is consistent with Westward Ho!’s character as a coastal town with a strong sense of community, where local initiatives and policing may play a role in mitigating crime.

May 2023 saw a 10.1% increase in the overall crime rate compared to April, driven by a 50% rise in violence and sexual offences and a 100% increase in criminal damage and arson. Despite this, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, with anti-social behaviour rates aligning closely to the national figure (1.3 per 1,000). The shift in crime mix—from property crimes in previous months to a higher proportion of violent offences—suggests a seasonal influence, as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising may contribute to heightened interpersonal conflicts. Property crimes dropped to just one incident, a stark contrast to the 3 violent crimes reported. Residents may find it useful to note that anti-social behaviour, while common, is not higher than the UK average, indicating a balanced crime profile for the area.

Over the course of May 2023, Westward Ho! recorded a crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents, a 10.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 1.9. This still places the area 73.8% below the UK average, highlighting a consistently low-risk environment. Daily crime figures show that, on average, there were 0 crimes reported per day in May, a stark contrast to the UK’s much higher daily rates. When considering monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 484 residents, a figure that underscores the rarity of crime in this area. With a population of 5,321, the low crime count translates to an extremely low probability of encountering crime for any individual resident. This level of safety is particularly notable in a built-up area, where higher population density might typically correlate with increased crime rates. The combination of low crime counts and a modest month-on-month increase suggests that local factors—such as community cohesion or effective policing—may be contributing to the area’s stability.