Royal Wootton Bassett Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Royal Wootton Bassett's crime profile in June 2024 reveals a strikingly low overall rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 40.2% below the UK average of 8.2. This contrast with national trends is particularly notable in violent crime, where the area's rate of 1.3 per 1,000 (violence and sexual offences) is 53% below the UK average of 2.8. The most prevalent crime type was anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 30.3% of all reported incidents (20 cases) at a rate of 1.5 per 1,000 — 7% above the UK average for this category. This suggests a combination of local factors, such as community dynamics in a small market town, where anti-social conduct may be more visible in public spaces. Seasonal patterns also appear relevant: as June marks the start of summer, the longer days and increased outdoor activity may contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour, though this remains consistent with the area's character as a commuter town with a mix of residential and commercial zones. Property crimes, including burglary and other theft, remained relatively low, with burglary at 0.2 per 1,000 (3 cases) — 33% below the UK average. The area's crime picture reflects a combination of geographic factors, including its location in rural Wiltshire, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime while amplifying others. This data underscores the importance of contextualising local statistics within both national benchmarks and the specific social and economic environment of Royal Wootton Bassett.

June 2024 saw a 12.0% increase in the overall crime rate compared to May (4.3 to 4.9 per 1,000), though this remains significantly below the UK average. The most notable month-on-month changes included a 200% surge in burglary cases (1 to 3), which may be linked to increased property visibility during summer months. Other theft also rose sharply by 133.3% (3 to 7), reflecting heightened activity in local retail areas or community events. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 14.3% (21 to 18), a shift that could align with seasonal patterns of reduced public gatherings or improved community policing efforts. The category of shoplifting saw a 100% increase (0 to 1 case), though this remains exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. The area's performance in reducing violent crime is particularly noteworthy: its rate of 1.3 per 1,000 is 53% below the UK average, suggesting effective local strategies or demographic factors such as a lower proportion of younger populations. This contrast with national trends highlights the importance of tailoring crime prevention approaches to local contexts, where factors like community cohesion or economic stability may play a role.

The 12.0% increase in June's crime rate (from 4.3 to 4.9 per 1,000) represents a small upward shift compared to May, but the absolute numbers remain remarkably low. On a daily basis, Royal Wootton Bassett recorded roughly 2 crimes per day in June, a figure that is likely to feel manageable for residents given the town's population of 13,617. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 206 residents — a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average, which would be substantially higher given the national rate of 8.2 per 1,000. This population-scaled perspective underscores the area's relative safety, even as the rate increased slightly. The comparison to the UK average also reveals stark disparities: for example, the area's violent crime rate is 53% below the national figure, while its anti-social behaviour rate is 7% above. These differences reflect both the unique characteristics of Royal Wootton Bassett as a small market town and broader UK trends. The low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.3 further illustrates the area's distinct crime profile, which may be shaped by factors such as strong community policing or the physical layout of the built-up area.