Waverley Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 134,284, 551 crimes in April 2024 equate to 4.1 crimes per 1,000 residents — 46.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This rate positions Waverley as one of the safer areas in the UK, though the distribution of crime types reveals distinct patterns. Violence and sexual offences (167 cases) accounted for 30.3% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (13.4%) and public order offences (10.0%). These figures suggest a community where interpersonal disputes and public conduct issues remain prominent, even as the overall rate remains well below national benchmarks. The seasonal context of April — marked by Easter holidays and springtime activity — may influence these patterns. With increased foot traffic during Easter events and warmer weather encouraging outdoor activity, the rise in public order offences could reflect heightened interactions in shared spaces. However, the absence of major spikes in property crime, despite typical seasonal trends, suggests that local factors such as community policing efforts or environmental design may be contributing to this outcome. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (9.3%) and shoplifting (8.4%) compared to UK averages also indicate that Waverley’s retail and transport infrastructure may be experiencing fewer incidents than expected for a mid-sized urban area. This combination of factors illustrates a district where community cohesion and proactive management of public spaces appear to be mitigating risks, even as the Easter period introduces usual fluctuations in activity levels.

April 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with public order offences surging by 71.9% (32 to 55 cases) — a significant increase that may reflect the impact of Easter events and increased public gatherings. Shoplifting also rose by 12.2% (41 to 46), potentially linked to seasonal shopping activity around Easter. Vehicle crime increased by 10.9% (46 to 51), which could be attributed to springtime travel patterns or changes in parking behaviour. Conversely, bicycle theft fell sharply by 60.0% (5 to 2), due to reduced commuting during the Easter break. Drug-related crimes also decreased by 50.0% (10 to 5), which may indicate a temporary reduction in illicit activity during the holiday period. Waverley’s violent crime rate (1.2 per 1,000) is 53% below the UK average, suggesting that local interventions or community dynamics may be effectively reducing interpersonal violence. This contrast with the UK average is even more pronounced in anti-social behaviour (51% below) and theft from the person (100% below), where the gap between Waverley and the national rate is stark. These disparities highlight the importance of local context in shaping crime outcomes, with Waverley’s relatively low levels of theft-related crimes reflecting a combination of effective policing, community engagement, and environmental factors.

The crime rate in Waverley remained stable at 4.1 per 1,000 residents compared to the previous month, indicating no significant month-on-month fluctuation. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 18 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualised by Waverley’s population size. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for every 244 residents, a monthly aggregate that provides a clearer sense of the scale of crime in relation to the local population. This rate is lower than the UK average, which suggests that Waverley residents face a significantly lower risk of encountering crime compared to the national population. When viewed through the lens of population size, the 551 total crimes equate to a relatively modest burden for a district of 134,284 people. This statistic is particularly meaningful for residents, as it illustrates that while crime is present, its frequency is proportionally low. The stability in the crime rate — unchanged from March 2024 — indicates that any local initiatives or seasonal factors have not led to major shifts in the overall crime picture. This consistency, combined with the marked disparities from UK averages in several categories, reinforces the idea that Waverley’s unique characteristics — whether in terms of demographics, geography, or policing strategies — play a crucial role in shaping its crime profile.