Wiltshire Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wiltshire recorded 2,487 crimes in April 2024, equating to a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents—37.7% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, when scaled to the area’s population of 523,700, underscores the relatively low crime profile of the region compared to the national average. The most significant contributor to crime in the month was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 32.1% of all incidents (798 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (560 cases, 22.5%) and criminal damage and arson (236 cases, 9.5%). These statistics align with Wiltshire’s demographic and geographic characteristics, which include a predominantly rural landscape and lower population density. The seasonal context of April—marked by the Easter holiday period—may have influenced some crime patterns, such as the 28.2% increase in vehicle crime, potentially linked to increased travel. However, other categories, such as robbery and bicycle theft, saw notable decreases, due to reduced foot traffic or heightened police activity during the Easter period. Violence and sexual offences remained 41% below the UK average, a trend consistent with Wiltshire’s rural environment, where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to lower rates of violent crime. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, was 10% below the UK average, suggesting that local initiatives or the area’s quieter pace of life may play a role in mitigating such incidents. The data also highlights that shoplifting rates were 40% below the UK average (0.4 per 1,000 residents), which could be attributed to the smaller retail presence and lower population density in Wiltshire. These findings illustrate the combination of local factors and crime trends, even as the overall rate remains stable.

April 2024 saw notable shifts in specific crime categories, with other crime rising by 62.2% (from 37 to 60 incidents) and vehicle crime increasing by 28.2% (from 103 to 132). These increases may reflect the Easter holiday period, which typically sees more travel and temporary disruptions to usual routines. Conversely, robbery and bicycle theft both fell by 40% and 30.8%, respectively, potentially linked to heightened police presence during holidays or reduced foot traffic in certain areas. The category of violence and sexual offences, at 1.5 per 1,000 residents, remained 41% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be influenced by Wiltshire’s predominantly rural landscape and lower population density. Anti-social behaviour, another major category, was 10% below the UK average, due to community engagement initiatives or the area’s quieter pace of life. These fluctuations highlight how seasonal and local factors can shape crime patterns, even within a stable overall rate. For residents, the 40% below UK average rate for shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000 residents) suggests a lower likelihood of retail-related incidents compared to the national average, which could be attributed to Wiltshire’s smaller retail footprint and lower population density.

Wiltshire’s crime rate in April 2024 remained unchanged from March, maintaining a consistent level of 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This stability suggests a baseline of criminal activity that, while influenced by local factors such as seasonal trends and community dynamics, has not shown significant fluctuation over the past month. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 83 crimes per day, a figure that, when considered alongside Wiltshire’s population of 523,700, translates to a relatively low risk for residents. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 211 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when scaled to the area’s population, highlights the area’s generally low crime profile compared to the UK average. This figure is particularly meaningful for individuals considering relocation or assessing local safety, as it provides a tangible measure of crime likelihood in everyday life. The absence of a UK daily comparison means these local trends must be interpreted within Wiltshire’s specific context, which includes a mix of rural and semi-urban communities. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with fluctuations in individual crime categories, such as the 28.2% rise in vehicle crime, which may be linked to increased travel during the Easter holidays. However, the absence of a UK daily comparison means these local trends must be interpreted within Wiltshire’s unique demographic and geographic context.