Bowerhill Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 5,322, Bowerhill recorded 22 crimes in November 2023, equating to a crime rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 45.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to national trends. The most prevalent crime type was bicycle theft, accounting for 31.8% of all reported incidents (7 cases), followed by violence and sexual offences (18.2%) and criminal damage and arson (13.6%). These patterns align with seasonal factors in November, such as the onset of darker evenings, which may contribute to increased property-related crimes, and the timing of Black Friday shopping, which could explain the sharp rise in bicycle theft. The area’s built-up nature within Wiltshire—a largely rural county—suggests that Bowerhill’s lower crime rate may be influenced by its smaller scale and lower population density compared to larger urban centres. However, the significant disparity in bicycle theft rates compared to the UK average (1525% above) raises questions about local factors, such as the presence of cycling infrastructure or the timing of events that attract bike usage. Despite this spike, the overall crime profile remains safer than the UK average, with violent crime rates 69% below the national level and anti-social behaviour incidents 62% below the UK average. These figures suggest that while specific pockets of activity may exist, Bowerhill’s broader environment continues to maintain a relatively low crime profile.

November 2023 saw a dramatic 600% increase in bicycle theft compared to October, with cases rising from 1 to 7. This surge, which accounted for 31.8% of all crimes, far exceeds the UK average for the category by 1525%, highlighting a stark local anomaly. Other notable changes included a 100% rise in 'other theft' and the emergence of drug-related offences, which had not been reported in the previous month. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 60% (from 5 to 2 cases), and burglary rates dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1). These shifts suggest a combination of seasonal and local factors: the sharp increase in bicycle theft may be linked to Black Friday shopping activity, while the drop in anti-social behaviour could reflect the quieter pace of November compared to October’s Halloween events. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 20%, though they remained 69% below the UK average. The category with the most significant UK comparison was bicycle theft, which not only dominated the local crime mix but also stood out as an outlier nationally. Residents might find the 100% increase in 'other theft' particularly concerning, as it indicates a new type of activity emerging in the area.

Bowerhill’s crime rate in November 2023 (4.1 per 1,000) marked a 29.5% increase compared to October’s rate of 3.2 per 1,000. On a daily basis, this translates to roughly one crime reported per day across the 30-day period, a figure that may feel more tangible for residents. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate means that one reported crime occurred for every 242 residents over the course of November—a statistic that, while not immediately alarming, underscores the need for continued vigilance. This rate is lower than the UK average, which suggests that Bowerhill’s built-up area within Wiltshire operates with a crime profile that is both distinct and generally safer than the national average. However, the 29.5% month-on-month rise indicates that local conditions may have shifted, influenced by the seasonal context of November, including darker evenings and the timing of events like Bonfire Night. While the overall rate remains low, the increase in bicycle theft and other thefts highlights specific vulnerabilities that may require targeted attention. For a community of 5,322 people, these figures provide a clear benchmark for understanding how crime exposure compares both locally and nationally, even as the area maintains a safer-than-average profile overall.