Westward Ho! Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 26.7% of all reported crimes in Westward Ho! during December 2024, making it the dominant category despite the area’s overall crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents—60.6% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national figures underscores the area’s relative safety, though the prominence of violent crime suggests unique local dynamics. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the crime profile, with Christmas shopping activity and dark winter evenings potentially influencing both victim behaviour and offender opportunities. While property crimes (6 incidents) and violent crimes (4 incidents) were the most frequently reported, the breakdown revealed that public order offences (3 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (2 incidents) also played a role, though their rates were below or in line with UK averages. The low overall crime rate, combined with the absence of significant spikes in property-related crimes, may partly explain the area’s position as one of the safest in the UK. However, the doubling of vehicle crime and criminal damage and arson incidents highlights the need for continued monitoring of these categories, which could reflect isolated incidents or emerging patterns tied to seasonal activity, such as increased vehicle movement during holiday periods or the impact of empty homes during the festive season.

December 2024 witnessed a 100% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 0 to 2 incidents, alongside a similar surge in criminal damage and arson, both doubling from previous month levels. Anti-social behaviour, however, fell by 60%, dropping from 5 to 2 reports, suggesting a potential shift in community dynamics or seasonal factors influencing public conduct. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, accounting for 26.7% of all crimes, though this rate was 69% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. Public order offences rose by 50%, reaching 3 incidents, a figure that is 33% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local conditions and broader national trends, with the area’s low overall crime rate contrasting sharply with specific category variations.

Westward Ho!’s December 2024 crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents marks a 28.6% decrease from the previous month’s 4.0 rate, reflecting a continued decline in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 0 crimes per day over the 31-day period, underscoring the low frequency of criminal activity. When scaled to the population of 5,321, this translates to one reported crime occurring for every 355 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the relative safety of the area. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which is not directly comparable due to the absence of a national daily or monthly exposure statistic. The population-scaled perspective highlights that residents face a markedly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the broader UK context, a trend consistent with the area’s overall crime rate being 60.6% below the national average.