Wiltshire Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a county with 523,700 residents, Wiltshire’s April 2025 crime total of 2,629 incidents translates to 5.0 crimes per 1,000 people — 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This rate reflects a mix of urban and rural dynamics typical of Wiltshire’s character as a mix of historic market towns, sprawling countryside, and commuter suburbs. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (35.9% of total), anti-social behaviour (21.3%), and criminal damage (9.3%), with all three categories significantly below UK averages. Spring weather and Easter-related activity likely influenced patterns, as increased foot traffic in towns like Salisbury and Trowbridge may have amplified street-level incidents. Shoplifting and vehicle crime — often linked to retail areas and commuter parking — were 55% and 47% below UK averages respectively, suggesting effective local deterrents in these sectors. The seasonal transition from winter to spring may have also contributed to the lower-than-expected rates of public order offences, which fell 26% below the UK average, possibly due to milder weather reducing rowdy outdoor gatherings.

April 2025 saw a 66.7% increase in robberies, rising from six to ten incidents — a sharp contrast to the previous month’s figures. Drug-related crimes also rose by 28.3%, with 68 cases recorded compared to 53 in March, potentially reflecting Easter-related gatherings or changes in illicit activity patterns. Anti-social behaviour increased by 7.3%, though it remained 17% below the UK average. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 34.4% (32 to 21), and other crime decreased by 21.1% (76 to 60), suggesting possible improvements in community policing or reduced disorder incidents. The dominance of violence and sexual offences (35.9% of total crimes) — 31% below the UK average — highlights Wiltshire’s distinct profile compared to more densely populated areas. This could be partly explained by the county’s mix of rural isolation and urban centres, where interpersonal conflicts may be more concentrated in smaller towns. Meanwhile, shoplifting’s 55% deficit against the UK average aligns with Wiltshire’s lower retail density and potentially stronger local enforcement in town centres.

Wiltshire’s crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents in April 2025 marked a 3.5% decrease from the previous month’s 5.2, a decline consistent with the end of Easter-related spikes in disorder. Translating this to daily life, the county experienced approximately 88 crimes per day — a figure that, while significant, is lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, 1 in every 199 residents faced a reported crime, a monthly ratio that underscores the relatively low risk compared to the national context. When scaled to Wiltshire’s population of 523,700, the 2,629 crimes represent a manageable burden for a region with a strong rural footprint and limited urban sprawl. The 35.1% gap between Wiltshire’s rate and the UK average suggests systemic factors such as effective community engagement, lower population density, or targeted policing in high-risk areas. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like public order offences (26% below UK average) and vehicle crime (47% below), where Wiltshire’s suburban and rural layout may inherently reduce opportunities for such crimes compared to major cities.