Wiltshire Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Wiltshire's overall crime rate in January 2025 was 4.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 38% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure places the area among the safer local authority districts in England and Wales. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 39% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). These patterns align with the area's character as a predominantly rural district with a mix of urban centres, where community dynamics and policing strategies may contribute to lower rates of property crime. Seasonal factors also appear to influence the crime profile, with January's shorter days and post-holiday environment likely reducing opportunities for outdoor crimes. However, the data also reveals a nuanced picture: while violent crime remains a significant concern, it is lower than the UK average, and property-related crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime have seen consistent declines. This suggests that Wiltshire's crime profile is shaped by both geographic and temporal factors, with the area's lower population density and strong community engagement potentially playing a role in maintaining lower crime rates. The seasonal context of January—marked by reduced retail activity and fewer outdoor events—may further explain the lower incidence of shoplifting and public order offences compared to other months. Despite these improvements, the persistence of certain crime types, such as anti-social behaviour, indicates ongoing challenges that require targeted interventions.

January 2025 saw notable reductions in several crime categories, including vehicle crime (-29.1%), burglary (-26.7%), and robbery (-18.2%). These decreases may reflect the seasonal slowdown in activity typical of the post-holiday period, particularly in sectors reliant on outdoor or retail environments. Conversely, theft from the person surged by 180%, rising from five to 14 incidents. This sharp increase, while small in absolute terms, underscores the vulnerability of individuals in public spaces during colder months. Possession of weapons also rose by 72.7%, from 11 to 19 cases, though this remains a rare category in Wiltshire. The breakdown of crimes shows a persistent gap between Wiltshire and the UK average, with violence and sexual offences in the area at 1.7 per 1,000—32% below the UK rate of 2.5 per 1,000. This divergence suggests that local factors, such as community policing or demographic composition, may play a role in maintaining lower rates of violent crime compared to the national picture.

Wiltshire's crime rate in January 2025 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, a 3.9% decrease from December's 4.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern typical of January, when reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may limit opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 75 crimes each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. When scaled to the population of 523,700, this translates to one reported crime for every 226 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Wiltshire's crime profile continues to be less severe than the national context, particularly in categories like vehicle crime and burglary, which saw notable reductions. These figures suggest a consistent trend of lower crime density in Wiltshire compared to the UK as a whole, even as specific categories fluctuate.