Amesbury Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Amesbury's crime rate for February 2024 stood at 5.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 23.9% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This performance contrasts with the national picture, where crime rates typically reflect higher urban concentrations and more diverse offence profiles. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.2% of all recorded crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.0%) and shoplifting (12.7%). These patterns align with Amesbury's character as a relatively small built-up area within rural Wiltshire, where community dynamics and lower population density may contribute to distinct crime trends. The seasonal context of February—a winter month marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—likely plays a role in the overall crime profile. While violent crime remains a concern, the area's crime rate for this category (1.9 per 1,000) is 24% below the UK average, suggesting localised factors such as strong community policing or demographic characteristics may help mitigate incidents. Shoplifting, however, emerged as an outlier, with its rate (0.7 per 1,000) 30% above the UK average, reflecting the presence of retail hubs or tourist activity in the area. These findings highlight the interplay between geographic context and crime patterns, offering insights into how local conditions shape the monthly crime profile.

February 2024 saw significant shifts in Amesbury's crime mix, with shoplifting surging by 150% compared to January, rising from 4 to 10 incidents. This jump, despite the winter season, may indicate increased retail activity or targeted theft in local stores. Vehicle crime also doubled, with four reported incidents, marking a 100% increase from January's zero cases—a development that could be linked to seasonal changes in vehicle usage or parking patterns. Burglary similarly doubled, rising from two to four incidents, though this remains below the UK average for the category. Conversely, public order offences fell by 50%, declining from eight to four, reflecting reduced outdoor gatherings during colder weather. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 16.7%, from 18 to 15 incidents, though this remains 5% below the UK average. Shoplifting's 30% above-average rate contrasts with other categories, such as vehicle crime (32% below UK average) and public order offences (39% below UK average), illustrating a mixed picture where certain crime types defy national trends. For residents, the sharp rise in shoplifting may warrant closer attention to local retail security measures, particularly given the area's proximity to major tourist attractions like Stonehenge.

Amesbury's crime rate in February 2024 (5.4 per 1,000 residents) was 2.6% higher than the previous month's rate of 5.3 per 1,000, indicating a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, must be contextualised within the area's broader performance: over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 184 residents, a figure that underscores the relatively low crime exposure compared to larger urban centres. Daily crime counts averaged three incidents per day, a rate that aligns with the area's small population of 14,525 and its rural setting. When compared to the UK average, Amesbury's overall crime rate remains significantly lower, with the area's violent crime rate (1.9 per 1,000) 24% below the national figure. This suggests that factors such as community cohesion, local policing strategies, or the area's demographic profile—potentially characterised by a stable, low-density population—may contribute to its safer environment. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting highlights a vulnerability in specific sectors, a contrast to the UK average where shoplifting rates are typically lower. For residents, the monthly exposure metric (1-in-184) provides a tangible benchmark for understanding risk. increase from January serves as a reminder that crime patterns can shift even in low-rate areas.