Milford and Witley Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 5,501 residents, 24 crimes were recorded in January 2024, translating to a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is 40.5% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a relatively low crime profile compared to the national context. The breakdown shows property crimes dominated, accounting for 58% of all incidents (14 out of 24), with violent crimes making up 12.5% (3 cases). The most common crime was criminal damage and arson, which occurred five times, a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents. This category was 58% above the UK average, suggesting a localised pattern that may be linked to seasonal factors. January, as a post-holiday month, typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter days, which could influence the frequency of such incidents. The low overall rate, combined with the sharp rise in specific property-related crimes, illustrates a combination of local conditions and broader seasonal trends. While violent crimes remain well below the UK average, the spike in criminal damage and arson warrants attention, particularly in light of the area’s built-up character and potential vulnerabilities during colder months.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with criminal damage and arson surging by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) and vehicle crime doubling (from 0 to 3). Other theft also rose sharply by 100%, reflecting a shift in the crime mix toward property-related offences. Conversely, shoplifting fell by two-thirds (from 6 to 2), likely tied to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, which account for 12.5% of all crimes, were 77% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the 58% increase in criminal damage and arson. This divergence highlights how different crime categories respond to local and seasonal dynamics. For residents, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—now the most common crime—may signal a need for heightened awareness around property security, particularly in areas with visible or accessible structures. The data also underscores the area’s overall safety, with violent crime remaining significantly lower than the national average, though targeted efforts to address property crime may be necessary.

The crime rate in January 2024 (4.4 per 1,000) marked a 4.3% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.2 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, indicates consistent activity. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 229 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. The built-up nature of Milford and Witley, combined with its relatively small population, may contribute to this lower exposure, as smaller communities often have more concentrated policing and community engagement efforts. However, the 4.3% increase from December raises questions about whether temporary factors—such as the end of the holiday season or weather-related disruptions—may have influenced local crime patterns. While the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the upward shift from the previous month suggests a need for continued monitoring, particularly given the rise in property-related offences. For residents, the 1-in-229 monthly exposure rate provides a concrete context for understanding the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives.