Wiltshire Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with 523,700 residents, Wiltshire recorded 2,629 crimes in April 2025, translating to a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 people—35.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure places Wiltshire among the safer local authority districts in England and Wales. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (35.9% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (21.3%) and criminal damage and arson (9.3%). These patterns align with seasonal factors, as April typically sees increased outdoor activity linked to Easter and spring weather, which may contribute to higher incidents of public order and anti-social behaviour. Conversely, the lower rates of shoplifting (55% below UK average) and vehicle crime (47% below UK average) suggest that Wiltshire’s rural character, with fewer high-traffic retail areas and limited urban centres, may reduce opportunities for such crimes. The overall crime rate is also consistent with Wiltshire’s historical trend of lower-than-average property crime, which may reflect a combination of lower population density and effective local policing strategies. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences—despite being 31% below the UK average—highlights the need for targeted interventions in community safety, particularly in areas with higher concentrations of public spaces or social interactions.

April 2025 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to March, with robbery increasing by 66.7% (from 6 to 10 incidents) and drug-related offences rising by 28.3% (from 53 to 68). These increases may reflect heightened activity during the Easter holiday period. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 7.3%, potentially linked to increased foot traffic in public spaces during spring. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 34.4% (from 32 to 21), and public order offences dropped by 19.6% (from 225 to 181), which could indicate improved community engagement or seasonal moderation in alcohol-related incidents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, accounting for 35.9% of all crimes—31% below the UK average—suggesting that while this category is prevalent, its rate is comparatively lower than in other regions. The starkly lower rates of bicycle theft (100% below UK average) and theft from the person (100% below UK average) further reinforce the idea that Wiltshire’s rural landscape, with fewer densely populated areas, reduces opportunities for such crimes. Residents may find the 35.9% share of violent crimes particularly relevant, as it underscores the need for ongoing focus on community safety initiatives.

Wiltshire’s crime rate in April 2025 (5.0 per 1,000 residents) was 3.5% lower than the previous month’s rate of 5.2 per 1,000, indicating a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 88 crimes per day, a figure that, while context-dependent, is lower than the UK average when scaled to Wiltshire’s population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 199 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is consistent with the area’s historical profile as a largely rural district with lower population density. When compared to the UK average, Wiltshire’s lower rates of property crimes—including shoplifting, vehicle crime, and burglary—suggest that its geographical and demographic characteristics may reduce opportunities for such offences. For example, the absence of large urban centres or high-traffic retail areas may limit shoplifting incidents, while the lower prevalence of car ownership in rural areas could explain the 47% reduction in vehicle crime compared to the UK average. However, the relatively higher share of violent crimes (35.9% of total) compared to the UK average’s 31% (based on UK crime breakdown data) indicates that Wiltshire’s safety profile is not uniformly low across all categories. This complexity underscores the importance of tailored approaches to crime prevention, balancing efforts to address violent crimes with the maintenance of the area’s existing strengths in reducing property-related offences.