Royal Wootton Bassett Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2023, Royal Wootton Bassett recorded 60 crimes across its population of 13,617 residents, resulting in a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000—41.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. The crime profile revealed a clear imbalance, with violent crimes (25 incidents) significantly outpacing property crimes (8 incidents). This dominance of violence and sexual offences (1.8 per 1,000) over property-related offences may reflect seasonal factors, such as the increased foot traffic during Black Friday shopping or the communal tensions associated with Bonfire Night. Anti-social behaviour (15 incidents) and public order offences (7 incidents) also featured prominently, though both categories remained below or in line with national averages. The absence of major property crimes like burglary or vehicle theft suggests a relatively secure built-up area, possibly bolstered by local policing initiatives or the town's character as a small, cohesive community. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting and public order offences highlights vulnerabilities linked to transient populations or unmonitored retail spaces, particularly during the month's commercial and social events. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, shows a 54.2% increase from October 2023, a shift that may warrant closer attention to emerging patterns in violent and disorderly conduct.

November 2023 saw dramatic increases in shoplifting (+300%) and public order offences (+250%), with shoplifting cases rising from one to four and public order incidents surging from two to seven. This shift in crime mix highlights a growing emphasis on non-property crimes, particularly in the context of seasonal events like Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping, which may have contributed to heightened public order challenges. Violent crimes, though still below the UK average (1.8 per 1,000 compared to the national 2.6 per 1,000), accounted for 41.7% of total incidents, underscoring their dominance over property-related offences. Conversely, other thefts fell by 50% (from two to one), a drop that could reflect targeted policing efforts or reduced opportunities during the month. The stark contrast between violent crimes and property crimes—25 versus 8—suggests a local dynamic where interpersonal disputes or seasonal tensions may outweigh traditional property-focused crime patterns.

Royal Wootton Bassett's November 2023 crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents represents a 54.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.9 per 1,000. This rise, while notable, remains 41.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. Locally, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 227 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the community. On a daily basis, approximately two crimes were recorded each day in November, a rate that aligns with the area's generally low crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The population context further highlights that, despite the month-on-month increase, the overall crime burden per resident remains significantly lower than the UK average. This contrast may reflect broader regional differences in policing strategies, community engagement, or the area's character as a relatively tranquil built-up area within Wiltshire.