Devizes Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

In January 2026, Devizes recorded 157 crimes across a population of 17,981 residents, translating to a crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 individuals. This figure places the area 27.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting a significant disparity in local crime dynamics. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.5% of all reported incidents (62 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (22.9%, 36 cases) and criminal damage and arson (10.8%, 17 cases). These patterns align with seasonal factors, as January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to a shift in criminal activity away from outdoor spaces. The dominance of violent crime, particularly in comparison to the UK average, suggests a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas. Anti-social behaviour, which was 115% above the UK average, may reflect community-specific challenges such as social cohesion or enforcement priorities. Meanwhile, the relatively low rates of burglary (29% below UK average) and vehicle crime (73% below UK average) could indicate effective local measures or environmental deterrents. These findings, when contextualised within the built-up area's characteristics, reveal a complex picture where local conditions interact with broader national trends to shape the crime profile.

January 2026 saw a 100% increase in vehicle crime, with one incident reported compared to zero in December 2025. This spike, though small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in criminal focus during the post-holiday period. Burglary also rose by 100%, from two to four incidents, suggesting either targeted activity or increased vulnerability during colder months. Public order offences grew by 57.1%, reaching 11 incidents, which may reflect the impact of shorter daylight hours and community gatherings. Violence and sexual offences remained 40% above the UK average, with 3.5 per 1,000 residents—significantly higher than the national 2.5 per 1,000. Conversely, burglary and drugs-related crimes were both 29% below UK averages, indicating areas where local conditions may offer some protective factors. These variations underscore the combination of local demographics and environmental factors in shaping crime patterns.

Devizes' crime rate in January 2026 rose to 8.7 per 1,000 residents, a 23.7% increase from the previous month's 7.1 per 1,000. This upward trend suggests a shift in local dynamics, though seasonal factors such as shorter daylight hours and post-holiday transitions may play a role. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately five reported crimes each day, reflecting a consistent presence of criminal activity across the month. When scaled to the population of 17,981, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 115 residents—a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents relative to the community size. While this rate is higher than the UK average, the local context of a built-up area within Wiltshire likely contributes to this pattern, with factors such as community density and seasonal events potentially influencing crime trends.