Wiltshire Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wiltshire’s crime rate for December 2025 stands at 4.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a 32.9% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000. This figure reflects a consistently lower crime profile than the national average, a trend likely influenced by the area’s rural character and relatively low population density. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 38.4% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.4%) and criminal damage and arson (9.5%). These rates align with seasonal patterns typical of December, which includes heightened retail activity, darker evenings, and the holiday season. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes, such as shoplifting (47% below UK average) and vehicle crime (46% below UK average), may be partly explained by Wiltshire’s smaller urban centres and limited high-traffic commercial hubs. However, the dominance of violent crimes suggests that local factors, such as community engagement or policing strategies, may play a role in mitigating property-related offences. The overall crime rate remains well below the UK average, a position sustained by the area’s geographical and demographic profile, which contrasts with densely populated urban regions where crime rates tend to cluster higher.

December 2025 witnessed notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary rising by 27.8% (from 90 to 115 incidents) and bicycle theft increasing by 27.3% (from 11 to 14). These upward trends may be linked to seasonal factors such as empty homes during the holiday period and increased foot traffic in rural areas. Conversely, shoplifting declined by 15.0% (from 200 to 170), potentially reflecting reduced retail activity or heightened vigilance during the festive season. Violence and sexual offences remained the largest category, contributing 38.4% of total crimes, though their rate (1.8 per 1,000) was 30% below the UK average, highlighting a stark contrast between Wiltshire’s violent crime profile and national trends. Other categories, such as anti-social behaviour (17.4%) and criminal damage and arson (9.5%), also showed lower-than-average rates, consistent with the area’s lower population density and limited nightlife. For residents, the 47% reduction in shoplifting compared to the UK average offers a tangible insight into how local conditions can shape crime patterns differently than in more urbanised regions.

December 2025’s crime rate of 4.7 per 1,000 marks a 2.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent decline in overall criminal activity. Over the course of the month, 2,466 crimes were reported, translating to approximately 80 crimes per day—a figure that underscores the daily presence of crime in Wiltshire’s communities, albeit at a significantly lower scale than the UK average. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 212 residents, a ratio that highlights the relatively low exposure to crime in a population of 523,700. This context suggests that while crime remains a part of life in Wiltshire, its impact is diluted by the area’s size and distribution. The 32.9% gap between Wiltshire’s rate and the UK average reinforces the area’s status as a lower-risk region, with factors such as rural isolation and limited commercial hubs likely contributing to this disparity. For residents, the comparison to the UK average serves as a reminder that local conditions, such as community cohesion and policing strategies, play a critical role in shaping crime outcomes.