Wiltshire Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Wiltshire’s crime profile in October 2025, accounting for 41.1% of all reported crimes. This category, which includes assaults and domestic incidents, remains significantly below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 residents (Wiltshire’s rate is 2.1 per 1,000). The rural character of much of Wiltshire, combined with its mix of historic market towns and open countryside, may partly explain the lower prevalence of property crimes compared to densely populated urban areas. October’s darker evenings and the approach of Halloween appear to correlate with a slight uptick in violent incidents, though this remains consistent with seasonal patterns observed in similar regions. Anti-social behaviour follows closely, contributing 18.3% of total crimes, a figure 29% below the UK average. This suggests that while community-focused policing efforts may be effective in curbing disorder, the persistent presence of alcohol-related incidents in town centres during late evenings continues to drive this category. The low rate of vehicle crime—76% below the UK average—aligns with Wiltshire’s sparse road networks and limited commuter traffic, though the rise in drugs-related offences (64% below the UK average) hints at shifting patterns in illicit activity that warrant further local analysis.

October 2025 saw a notable 166.7% increase in reported robberies, rising from 3 to 8 cases. This sharp rise, though still below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, may reflect heightened caution among residents during Halloween-related events. Concurrently, theft from the person surged by 75%, jumping from 8 to 14 incidents. This could indicate a seasonal shift in criminal behaviour, with opportunistic thefts more likely in poorly lit rural areas during October’s shorter evenings. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 8.6% compared to September, possibly due to earlier enforcement efforts around the start of the month. Vehicle crime also decreased by 10.7%, remaining 76% below the UK average—a trend consistent with Wiltshire’s low traffic density. The drugs category, however, saw a 27.3% increase, moving from 55 to 70 reports. This may reflect broader national trends in illicit drug use, though local factors such as the proximity to major transport routes could play a role. Violent crimes remain 21% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national picture and suggesting that Wiltshire’s community policing strategies may be particularly effective in mitigating serious incidents.

Wiltshire’s crime rate in October 2025 rose by 7.1% compared to September, increasing from 4.7 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This places the district firmly in the lower quartile of UK crime statistics, with a 35.1% deficit compared to the national average of 7.7 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 85 crimes per day, translating to a monthly exposure rate of 1 in 200 residents. This figure, while seemingly high, is offset by Wiltshire’s relatively low population density compared to urban centres. For context, a resident in Wiltshire faces a 0.04% chance of being directly involved in a crime during the month, compared to 0.07% nationally. The population-scaled perspective further highlights the disparity: Wiltshire’s total population of 523,700 residents means that each reported crime impacts a smaller proportion of the community than in more densely populated areas. This lower exposure rate, despite the increase in violent crimes, may be attributed to the district’s rural layout, which limits opportunities for certain types of criminal activity. However, the rise in robbery and theft from the person suggests that targeted interventions in high-risk areas may be necessary to maintain this comparatively safe profile.