Old Sarum Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Old Sarum recorded 22 crimes across its population of 5,826 residents, equating to a crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 people. This rate is 47.2% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime density in this built-up area of Wiltshire. The breakdown reveals that violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.4% of all incidents (8 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (22.7%, 5 cases) and criminal damage and arson (18.2%, 4 cases). These figures are consistent with seasonal patterns observed in December, when Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and holiday-related absences from homes may influence crime dynamics. The prominence of violence and sexual offences, despite a 52.9% month-on-month decline from November, suggests ongoing challenges in this category, though the rate remains significantly below the UK average for this crime type (2.6 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour, while slightly below the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), may be linked to increased social gatherings during the festive season. Conversely, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—25% above the UK average—could indicate targeted vandalism or neglect of properties during the holiday period. These patterns highlight the combination of seasonal factors and local demographics in shaping crime trends for this rural-adjacent area.

December 2023 saw a 300% surge in criminal damage and arson, jumping from one to four incidents. This spike, coupled with a 200% increase in public order offences, suggests a shift in crime dynamics during the festive period. Meanwhile, violent crimes fell by 52.9% compared to November, with the category dropping from 17 to 8 incidents—a reduction that may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced public gatherings or increased home security measures. Other thefts declined by 66.7%, aligning with a general trend of lower property crime during the winter months. Possession of weapons increased by 100%, a category that is 233% above the UK average, raising questions about local enforcement patterns or unreported incidents. Residents should be aware that while violent crime rates have dropped, the rise in anti-social behaviour and property damage highlights areas requiring continued community vigilance.

Old Sarum's crime rate in December 2023 (3.8 per 1,000 residents) marked a 24.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.0 per 1,000. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of December, when colder weather and reduced daylight hours may limit opportunities for outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day in December, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 5,826. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 265 residents, a statistic that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the local population. This monthly exposure rate is lower than the UK average when scaled to the same population size, suggesting a broader trend of lower crime density in Old Sarum compared to other areas. The shift in crime mix, with a marked increase in criminal damage and arson, may indicate seasonal factors such as holiday-related property neglect or targeted vandalism during the festive period. However, the absence of a UK-wide daily crime comparison means this local context remains distinct.