Cold Ash Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 marked a month of relative stability for Cold Ash, with the area’s crime rate holding steady at 1.1 per 1,000 residents—86.9% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure, while low, reflects the built-up nature of the area within West Berkshire, where a combination of limited public spaces, community engagement, and the absence of large-scale commercial hubs may contribute to the subdued crime profile. The top crime types were anti-social behaviour (23.1% of total), violence and sexual offences (23.1%), and drugs (15.4%), all of which were significantly below national averages. Anti-social behaviour, though the most common category, remained 79% below the UK rate of 1.4 per 1,000, a statistic that may be influenced by Cold Ash’s smaller population and the absence of high-density residential areas typically associated with such incidents. The summer season, with its peak tourism and festivals, likely played a role in shaping the crime picture, though the low overall rate suggests that local factors—such as effective policing or the area’s compact size—may mitigate the risks often associated with seasonal events. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted slightly, with property crimes (5 incidents) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (3), a trend consistent with the area’s lower population density and limited commercial activity compared to larger urban centres.

July 2024 saw a 100% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from 0 to 2 incidents, marking a notable shift in the crime profile. This surge, while small in absolute terms, may partly explain the category’s position 9% below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Concurrently, violence and sexual offences decreased by 40%, from 5 to 3, aligning with the area’s overall trend of being 89% below the UK rate for this category. Anti-social behaviour, the most common crime type, remained at 3 incidents—23.1% of total crimes—and was 79% below the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000. This contrast highlights Cold Ash’s unique dynamics, where community-focused policing or the area’s built-up nature with limited public spaces may contribute to lower rates of violent crime compared to larger urban centres. For residents, the stability in burglary and vehicle crime—each remaining at 0 and 2 respectively—offers reassurance that property crime remains minimal.

Cold Ash's crime rate in July 2024 remained stable at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, matching the figure from the previous month. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall safety levels despite fluctuations in specific crime categories. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 0 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the low frequency of incidents even during the summer season. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 877 residents, a statistic that contextualises the rarity of crime in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, Cold Ash's population-scaled safety remains strikingly evident: with 11,400 residents, the area’s total of 13 crimes equates to a monthly exposure rate far below national benchmarks. This stability, even with isolated spikes in certain categories, highlights the effectiveness of local crime prevention measures or the area’s inherent characteristics, such as its relatively low population density and limited opportunities for crime.