Corsham Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 marked a continuation of Corsham’s historically low crime profile, with a total rate of 3.4 crimes per 1,000 residents—54.7% below the UK average of 7.5. This built-up area within Wiltshire, characterised by its historic market town core and suburban expansion, saw violence and sexual offences dominate the crime mix, accounting for 29.4% of reported incidents. The seasonal context of Easter and spring weather brought increased foot traffic through local shops and public spaces, which may partly explain the prominence of public order offences (14.7% of total) and criminal damage (17.7%). While the overall rate remained stable compared to the previous year, the balance of crime types shifted slightly, with property crimes (15 incidents) now outnumbering violent crimes (10 incidents) for the first time since 2021. This shift could reflect changing patterns in local activity, such as the increased presence of visitors during the Easter period. The relatively low levels of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) suggest that the town’s compact layout and strong community policing presence may be effective in deterring certain categories of crime. However, the persistence of anti-social behaviour (11.8% of total) indicates ongoing challenges in managing public conduct in residential areas. The overall rate, while well below the national average, remains sensitive to seasonal fluctuations, with the Easter weekend and spring holidays likely to influence future trends.

April 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with other theft, shoplifting, and robbery all doubling from March figures. This tripling of incidents in these areas—despite an overall rate increase of 9.7% compared to March—suggests targeted spikes in opportunistic crimes. The rise in robbery, which reached 0.2 per 1,000 residents (122% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000), is particularly notable given Corsham’s generally low violent crime profile. This increase may be linked to the Easter holiday period, when temporary visitors and increased cash transactions could create new vulnerabilities. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 33.3%, with incidents dropping from six to four—a decline that may reflect the impact of Easter school holidays reducing youth activity in public spaces. The crime mix also shifted, with property crimes (15 incidents) now outpacing violent crimes (10 incidents) for the first time since 2021, due to the seasonal influx of visitors increasing opportunities for theft and burglary. While the overall rate remains 54.7% below the UK average, the relative increase in robbery and shoplifting highlights areas where local enforcement strategies may need to be adapted to address emerging patterns.

April’s crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.7% increase compared to March’s 3.1.7% below the UK average. This small upward trend in the monthly rate must be contextualised within Corsham’s unique demographic profile: with a population of 10,057, the daily crime count averaged just 1 incident per day—a figure that places the town among the safest in the UK for daily safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 296 residents, illustrating the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which typically sees one crime for every 136 residents. The comparison to March’s rate also reveals a subtle seasonal dynamic: while the overall rate rose slightly, the drop in anti-social behaviour during school holidays and the rise in theft-related crimes suggest that the timing of Easter and spring events may influence crime patterns. For residents, this means that while the likelihood of encountering crime remains exceptionally low, vigilance around retail areas and public spaces during peak visitor periods may be prudent. The town’s compact geography and strong community networks likely contribute to this low exposure rate, but the small upward trend in April highlights the need for continued monitoring of seasonal fluctuations.