Old Sarum Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2023, Old Sarum — a built-up area within Wiltshire — recorded a crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents, a figure 50.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marked performance places the area among the safest in the country, a distinction that contrasts sharply with the national profile of rising urban crime. The breakdown of incidents reveals a striking dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 47.8% of all reported offences (11 incidents). This category's rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents was 28% below the UK average, a gap that may be attributed to Old Sarum's small population and limited commercial activity, both of which reduce opportunities for violent encounters. Anti-social behaviour followed as the second most common category (21.7% share), with a rate of 0.9 per 1,000 — 37% below the UK average. This pattern aligns with the area's character as a rural-adjacent community with few late-night venues or densely populated zones. The seasonal context of August — a peak holiday month — may have influenced some trends, particularly the 47% above-average burglary rate (0.5 per 1,000), which could be linked to the increased presence of empty homes during the summer. However, the overall crime picture remains dominated by violent incidents, suggesting that local factors such as community cohesion and limited public space may play a role in mitigating other types of crime. The low rate of property crimes (5 total, or 13% of all incidents) further reinforces the area's safety profile, though the slight increase in burglary compared to the UK average highlights the need for continued vigilance during periods of high seasonal turnover.

August 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with public order offences, drugs-related incidents, and vehicle crime each increasing by 100% compared to July. These jumps, though statistically significant, were based on single incidents each, suggesting potential data anomalies or isolated events rather than emerging trends. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 75%, from four to one incident, a sharp decline that may reflect seasonal factors or targeted local initiatives. The breakdown of crimes also revealed a striking contrast: violence and sexual offences — at 1.9 per 1,000 residents — were 28% below the UK average for this category, a figure that could be attributed to Old Sarum's low population density and limited nightlife. Meanwhile, burglary rates in the area were 47% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be explained by the seasonal influx of empty homes during August, when holidaymakers leave properties unoccupied. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the stability of the overall crime rate, which has remained below the UK average for several consecutive months despite these fluctuations.

Old Sarum's August 2023 crime rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents marked an 11.4% decline from July's 4.5 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend in reported incidents. This reduction aligns with broader patterns observed in the area over recent months, though seasonal factors may have played a role in shaping these figures. On a daily basis, the month saw roughly one crime reported per day — a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent presence of crime in even small communities. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 253 residents illustrates the relatively low frequency of incidents for a built-up area. This context is particularly relevant for residents and visitors, as it suggests that while crime is not absent, its occurrence remains rare enough to be a minor concern in daily life. The comparison to the UK average further highlights Old Sarum's unique position: its overall crime rate is nearly half that of the national average, a disparity that may be influenced by the area's rural-adjacent character and limited urban density.