Amesbury Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Amesbury's overall crime rate in August 2023 was 6.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.5% below the UK average of 8.1. This marks a continuation of the area's consistently lower-than-national-average crime profile, a pattern observed across multiple years. The most prevalent crime category was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 32.2% of all reported incidents, followed closely by violence and sexual offences (30.0%) and other theft (15.6%). While anti-social behaviour rates in Amesbury remain 39% above the UK average for this category, violent crime rates here are 28% below national levels. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month with increased tourism and temporary empty homes—likely contributes to patterns observed in anti-social behaviour and burglary risks. However, the area's lower-than-expected burglary rates (71% below UK average) may reflect its rural character and lower population density, which can deter opportunistic crimes. The balance between property crimes (33.3% of total) and violent crimes (30.0%) suggests a mixed crime profile, with anti-social behaviour dominating the landscape. This contrast with larger urban centres, where property crimes often dominate, highlights Amesbury's unique socio-demographic dynamics. The relatively low crime rate, despite the seasonal influx of visitors, may be attributed to local policing strategies or the area's compact built-up nature, which allows for more effective community monitoring.

August 2023 saw a marked 34.1% decrease in violence and sexual offences, dropping from 41 to 27 incidents. This reduction, though not statistically significant on its own, aligns with broader national trends of declining violent crime in 2023. The most notable increase was in anti-social behaviour, which rose by 81.3% (16 to 29 incidents), a jump that outpaces the UK average for this category by 39%. While this spike may reflect seasonal factors—such as increased social activity during the August holidays—it contrasts with the 50% decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 10 to 5 incidents. Vehicle crime also decreased by 40% (5 to 3), potentially linked to reduced summer traffic or improved parking security measures. Amesbury's shoplifting rate (0.4 per 1,000) is 33% below the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), suggesting that local retail areas may have effective anti-theft measures in place. For residents, the most concrete takeaway is the 28% below-average rate for violent crime, which could indicate the effectiveness of local policing in addressing this category. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour deserves closer attention, particularly as this category now constitutes over a third of all reported crimes.

Amesbury's August 2023 crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 represents a 10.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.0, marking a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 3 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 reported crime for every 161 residents. This monthly exposure rate, while low compared to national averages, is particularly notable when considering the area's relatively small population of 14,525. The 23.5% gap between Amesbury's rate and the UK average underscores the area's consistently safer profile, though this must be contextualised against its unique characteristics. As a built-up area within Wiltshire, Amesbury's lower crime rates may be influenced by its smaller population size and the absence of major urban centres that typically see higher crime concentrations. The reduction in violent crime compared to the previous month is especially significant for residents, as it suggests that local interventions or seasonal factors may be having a measurable impact. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour—now 39% above the UK average for this category—highlights a specific challenge that may require targeted community-based solutions. These comparisons illustrate how Amesbury's crime profile, while generally safer than the national average, still faces distinct localised pressures that differ from larger urban areas.