Devizes Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Devizes, a built-up area in Wiltshire, reported a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, placing it 11.7% below the UK average. This figure reflects a broader trend of declining crime in the area. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.2% of all reported crimes, with 47 incidents recorded—a rate of 2.6 per 1,000, matching the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour emerged as a notable outlier, with 25 incidents (1.4 per 1,000) and a rate 20% above the national average. This may be linked to the area’s character as a market town with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, where social interactions during the back-to-school period in September could contribute to increased reports. Public order offences, at 10 incidents (0.6 per 1,000), were 7% above the UK average, influenced by the transition from summer to autumn, when evenings draw in and community events shift to indoor venues. Seasonal factors, such as the start of the academic year and reduced daylight hours, may also play a role in shaping these patterns. The relatively low rates of property crimes, including shoplifting (0.3 per 1,000, 56% below UK average) and burglary (0.2 per 1,000, 35% below UK average), suggest that the area’s retail and residential environments are perceived as less vulnerable to such offences. However, the 20% disparity in anti-social behaviour compared to the UK average indicates a need for targeted interventions in community spaces. The overall crime rate, while lower than the national average, highlights the importance of maintaining proactive policing strategies to address emerging trends, particularly in categories where local rates diverge from broader UK patterns.

September 2024 saw a sharp 62.5% decrease in shoplifting, with incidents dropping from 16 to 6—a shift that may be linked to the end of summer tourist activity and reduced retail footfall. Robbery cases doubled, rising from 1 to 2, a 100% increase that contrasts with the overall decline in crime. Anti-social behaviour, at 25 incidents, was 20% above the UK average, suggesting localized pressures in community spaces. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 55.6%, with reported cases dropping from 9 to 4, possibly reflecting improved security measures in residential areas. The UK comparison for criminal damage and arson shows a 29% deficit in Devizes, a trend consistent with the area’s low-density built-up character and limited industrial activity.

Devizes recorded a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, a 30.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.8 per 1,000. This decline positions the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the UK, with a rate 11.7% below the national average. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of 4 crimes per day in September, a figure that may reflect seasonal factors such as the transition from summer to autumn. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 146 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. When contextualised against the population of 17,981, the crime rate highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in maintaining community safety, though the shift from previous months suggests ongoing efforts to address emerging patterns.