Lyneham Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In July 2023, Lyneham maintained a crime rate of 2.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 67.5% below the UK average of 8.3. This stark contrast reflects the area’s unique character as a built-up rural community within Wiltshire, where crime patterns diverge from urban centres. The dominant category of reported crime was anti-social behaviour, accounting for 31.3% of total incidents, followed closely by violence and sexual offences (31.3%). These two categories, though significant locally, remained 44% and 71% below their respective UK averages, highlighting a consistent gap in crime severity. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and local festivals—likely influenced the types of incidents recorded. Anti-social behaviour, often linked to increased social interaction in public spaces, saw a 400% month-on-month increase, potentially tied to temporary population influxes or heightened community activity. Meanwhile, the low rates of property crimes (5 total) and violent crimes (5 total) suggest that Lyneham’s crime profile is shaped by factors such as its rural setting, limited commercial density, and possibly effective local policing. The absence of major property crimes, despite the area’s built-up status, may indicate strong community engagement or physical security measures. These patterns underscore the importance of contextualising crime data within local geography and seasonal rhythms, rather than applying generic urban or national benchmarks.

July 2023 saw a 400% surge in anti-social behaviour reports, rising from one to five incidents. This spike, the most dramatic month-on-month increase, may partly explain the overall rate rise. Violence and sexual offences decreased by 16.7% compared to June, though they remained 71% below the UK average at 0.8 per 1,000. The breakdown also revealed that other crime—such as minor theft or administrative offences—doubled from zero to one incident, a shift that could reflect changes in reporting patterns or local enforcement priorities. Lyneham’s rate for criminal damage and arson (0.3 per 1,000) was 53% below the UK average, a contrast to the 43% increase in 'other crime' categories. These variations highlight the need for targeted local analysis, as the area’s crime profile diverges significantly from national trends in both direction and magnitude.

Lyneham's crime rate in July 2023 rose 23.1% from the previous month, moving from 2.2 to 2.7 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects a shift in the local crime profile. On a daily basis, the area saw an average of one reported crime per day during July, a figure that contextualises the low frequency of incidents for a community of 6,019 residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 376 residents, a statistic that underscores the rarity of criminal activity in this built-up area of Wiltshire. When compared to the UK average, Lyneham remains significantly safer, with its crime rate 67.5% below the national figure. This persistent gap suggests structural factors—such as the area’s rural proximity, limited urban density, or community policing efforts—may contribute to the sustained low crime levels. However, the month-on-month increase raises questions about temporary influences, such as seasonal events or transient populations, that could temporarily elevate local crime rates despite long-term trends.