Waverley Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 saw Waverley maintain a significantly lower crime rate than the UK average, with 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 7.1. This places the area 45.1% below the UK average, a consistent trend reflecting Waverley's character as a mixed-use district with a strong community presence and limited high-density residential zones. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 30.9% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.0%) and criminal damage (11.2%). These figures align with the seasonal context of February, a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in tourism, which may contribute to lower foot traffic in public spaces. The dominance of violent crime over property crime contrasts with some UK regions where property offences often outnumber violent incidents, suggesting Waverley's demographic profile and local policing strategies may play a role. The rate of violence in Waverley (1.2 per 1,000) is 52% below the UK average for this category, indicating effective community engagement or targeted interventions in this area. While the overall crime rate remains stable, the seasonal context of February—characterised by colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours—may influence crime patterns, particularly in areas with limited natural surveillance or where indoor gatherings increase.

February 2024 witnessed a significant 95.7% increase in burglary compared to January, rising from 23 to 45 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with a 64.1% decline in vehicle crime, which fell from 64 to 23 cases. The burglary spike may reflect increased indoor activity during colder weather or vulnerabilities in specific housing stock. Bicycle theft also rose by 66.7% (3 to 5 incidents), though this remains well below the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high residential turnover or poorly secured properties. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped sharply, likely due to reduced outdoor activity and fewer vehicles left unattended in public spaces. Theft from the person fell by 50.0%, from 2 to 1 case, aligning with the seasonal trend of lower foot traffic. Waverley's performance on several categories stands out: violence and sexual offences are 52% below the UK average, and drugs-related crime is 100% below the national rate. These figures suggest the area's policing priorities may be effectively addressing specific risk factors, though the burglary increase warrants closer monitoring.

Waverley's crime rate in February 2024 (3.9 per 1,000) represents a 4.2% decrease from January's rate of 4.1, indicating a slight downward trend despite the burglary spike. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 18 crimes per day over the 29-day month, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 255 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average, which would equate to roughly one crime for every 140 residents in a similar-sized area. The population-scaled perspective highlights Waverley's relative safety, with crime rates consistently below national benchmarks. However, the recent burglary increase underscores the need for targeted measures in specific neighbourhoods. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a shift in crime distribution, with property crimes (219) making up 41.5% of total incidents—slightly higher than the 39.5% recorded in January. This suggests a potential reallocation of criminal activity toward residential targets during the winter months, possibly linked to indoor gatherings or increased home occupancy rates. While the overall rate remains stable, the month-on-month changes highlight the importance of localised risk assessment and community-specific prevention strategies.