Wantage Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a resident of Wantage, the crime rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents in July 2023 translates to a monthly risk of approximately one crime for every 220 people. This figure, 45.8% below the UK average of 8.3, suggests a safer environment compared to national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (34.4% of total), criminal damage and arson (18.0%), and anti-social behaviour (9.8%). These patterns align with the area's character as a small built-up area within the Vale of White Horse, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to lower crime levels. Seasonal factors in July—peak tourism, festivals, and school holidays—likely influence crime dynamics. Violence and sexual offences, though the most frequent, remain 42% below the UK average for this category, possibly reflecting local policing efforts or community engagement. Conversely, criminal damage and arson exceed the UK rate by 25%, which may correlate with increased outdoor events or property vulnerabilities during summer months. The overall crime rate, while modest, illustrates a balance between localized risks and broader regional trends.

July 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with three categories increasing by 100% compared to June: drugs, robbery, and vehicle crime. These rises, though from low base numbers (drugs: 0→3, robbery: 0→2, vehicle crime: 1→2), may be linked to summer-specific factors such as festivals or increased foot traffic. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell sharply by 54.5% (11→5), potentially reflecting heightened retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behavior. The violent crime category, though still the most common (34.4% of total), remains 42% below the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), suggesting effective local interventions. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, is 65% below the UK rate, due to community-led initiatives or the area's quieter built-up character. The rise in vehicle crime, now at 0.2 per 1,000, may be connected to summer car usage or parking patterns, though it remains 58% below the UK average. These fluctuations highlight the interplay between seasonal rhythms and localized crime management strategies.

Wantage's crime rate in July 2023 (4.5 per 1,000) represents a 12.9% decline from the previous month's rate of 5.2, indicating a downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in July, a manageable figure for a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 220 residents, a statistic that contextualizes the risk in terms of population exposure. This rate is lower than the UK average, with violent crime alone 42% below the national benchmark for this category. The comparison also reveals that certain crime types, such as anti-social behaviour (65% below UK average), reflect a community profile that may prioritize social cohesion or have fewer public spaces prone to disorder. Conversely, criminal damage and arson exceed the UK rate by 25%, potentially linked to the area's seasonal activities or infrastructure vulnerabilities. These figures, when scaled to Wantage's population of 13,439, illustrate a crime profile that balances localized risks with broader national trends, offering residents a clear picture of their relative safety.