Wiltshire Crime Rate

About Wiltshire

Wiltshire presents a detailed picture of crime statistics, with an overall crime rate of 60.5 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is notably below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. The area boasts a safety score of 86 out of 100, exceeding the national average of 78. Over the past year, crime trends in Wiltshire have remained stable, showing a minor 2.1% change. This data provides a foundational understanding for residents and prospective movers, offering context before delving into specific crime categories and patterns.

About Wiltshire

Wiltshire, a predominantly rural county in South West England, is characterised by its rolling chalk downs, ancient woodlands, and historic market towns. Its crime statistics are influenced by a blend of factors inherent to such a landscape. The lower population density compared to more urbanised regions naturally contributes to a reduced overall crime rate. While tourism is a significant activity, particularly around sites like Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral, and the presence of military bases adds a transient population element, the dispersed nature of settlements often mitigates the types of crime associated with dense urban centres. Economic factors, including a mix of agricultural, light industry, and service sectors, support a stable community, which can also play a role in maintaining lower crime levels.

Crime Breakdown in Wiltshire

An analysis of crime types in Wiltshire reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 36.8% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 22.3 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows, representing 20.1% of the total with 12.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson rank as the third most prevalent, making up 8.8% of crimes at 5.4 per 1,000. When considering overall property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Wiltshire records a rate of 18.1 per 1,000 people per year. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures means being aware of the most common issues while recognising that property crime rates are relatively low, offering a degree of reassurance.

Crime Trends in Wiltshire

Crime trends in Wiltshire have remained largely stable over the past year, with a modest 2.1% increase year-over-year. Looking at the monthly data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 5.4 in October 2024 and generally remaining within the 4.4 to 5.9 range. Notable peaks were observed in July 2025 (5.9) and May 2025 (5.5), while January and February 2025 saw the lowest rates at 4.4. This stable trend suggests no significant escalation or reduction in overall crime, providing a consistent environment for residents. It indicates that while minor monthly variations occur, the broader picture for Wiltshire remains unchanged, offering a predictable safety landscape.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When considering Wiltshire in a regional context, comparisons with neighbouring areas provide valuable insight. Swindon, for instance, often presents a different urban dynamic. Test Valley, located to the east, shares some rural characteristics but may differ in specific crime patterns. Bath and North East Somerset, with its distinct urban and tourist appeal, will naturally exhibit varied crime profiles. South Gloucestershire, another mixed urban and rural authority, offers a further point of comparison. To the east, West Berkshire and Vale of White Horse also contribute to the regional understanding, each with its own unique demographic and geographic influences on crime rates. These comparisons help residents and those looking to move to Wiltshire understand its relative position within the broader regional safety landscape.

Protecting Your Home in Wiltshire

Given Wiltshire's property crime rate of 18.1 per 1,000 people, which is well below the national average, residents may still benefit from robust home security measures. It is important to remember that traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after an incident has occurred, essentially recording a burglary rather than preventing it. For those seeking genuine peace of mind and proactive protection, advanced solutions like scOS offer a different approach. This AI-powered home security operating system is designed to detect threats at the property boundary, intervening in real-time before a break-in can happen.

The core benefit lies in prevention over mere reaction. While DIY systems can notify you after the fact, scOS leverages multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, learning your routines and only alerting on real threats. This proactive deterrence is crucial, as most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property. A visible and intelligent system like scOS, with its autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise and encourage potential intruders to move on. If you are looking for professional-grade equipment that signals serious protection and actively stops threats at your property line, rather than just documenting them, exploring proactive AI security is a sensible step.