Old Sarum Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 5,826, 21 crimes were reported in December 2025, translating to a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 48.6% below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to national trends. The breakdown reveals a stark focus on violent crime, with 13 incidents of violence and sexual offences accounting for 61.9% of all crimes. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where such offences make up 2.6 per 1,000 residents — 14% lower than Old Sarum's rate. The seasonal context of December, marked by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and holiday-related social activity, may likely contribute to the concentration of violent incidents. However, the absence of significant property crime, with only 5 incidents recorded, diverges from typical patterns seen in urban areas during peak shopping periods. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage remain below UK averages, with the latter at 0.5 per 1,000 — 4% below the national figure. These trends suggest a community where interpersonal conflicts and minor disturbances are less prevalent, though the high proportion of violent crime warrants further analysis of local factors, such as demographic composition or social dynamics, that might explain this discrepancy.

December 2025 saw notable fluctuations in crime types, with vehicle crime surging by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident) and criminal damage and arson rising by 50% (from 2 to 3). This increase in vehicle-related crime may partly reflect the holiday season's impact on parking patterns or the movement of temporary residents. Conversely, public order offences and other theft both fell by 50%, from 2 to 1 incident each. This decline could indicate a reduction in festive-related disturbances, such as alcohol-fuelled incidents or disruptions in high-traffic areas. The category of violence and sexual offences, though remaining 14% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), still dominates the local crime profile. This suggests that while Old Sarum is safer in terms of property crime, violent incidents remain a focal point. The sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, which now stands at 0.5 per 1,000 — 4% below the UK average — may reflect targeted acts during periods of reduced surveillance, such as late evenings or holidays when homes are unoccupied. Residents may find the 50% drop in public order offences particularly relevant, as it indicates a reduction in disturbances that could affect community cohesion during the festive period.

The crime rate in Old Sarum for December 2025 (3.6 per 1,000) marks a 4.8% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 1 crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, aligns with the broader context of a small, built-up area within Wiltshire. When scaled to the local population, this translates to one reported crime for every 277 residents over the course of the month — a ratio that underscores the area's relative safety compared to both national averages and other regions with higher population densities. The UK average of 7.0 per 1,000 highlights a stark contrast, with Old Sarum's rate being nearly half that of the national figure. This disparity may be attributed to the area's rural-adjacent character, where lower population density and community cohesion could contribute to reduced opportunities for crime. However, the dominance of violent crime in the local profile — despite the overall low rate — suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary to address this specific risk, even in a setting where broader crime levels remain low.