Royal Wootton Bassett Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Royal Wootton Bassett recorded a crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This performance underscores the area’s ongoing success in maintaining a crime profile that is consistently lower than national benchmarks. The most significant contributor to the monthly total was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 36 incidents (46.8% of all crimes), slightly above the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000). This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the relatively low rates of property-related offences, particularly in categories such as burglary, vehicle crime, and theft from the person, which were all significantly below UK averages. These patterns may be influenced by the town’s character as a built-up area within Wiltshire, where community-focused policing and lower population density could contribute to reduced property crime. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role: January’s post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall align with the typical decline in outdoor crimes. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson—jumping from 3 to 13 incidents—suggests potential vulnerabilities in property security or unmonitored spaces during colder months. This data illustrates a combination of local demographics, policing strategies, and seasonal rhythms, with the area’s crime profile reflecting both its strengths and areas requiring further attention.

Violent crimes accounted for 46.8% of all incidents in January 2026, with 36 cases reported—slightly above the UK average for this category (2.5 per 1,000). This proportion highlights a shift in the crime mix, with violent offences now representing a larger share than property crimes. However, several categories showed marked improvements compared to UK averages: anti-social behaviour was 14% below the national rate, and vehicle crime was 46% below. These figures suggest local efforts in community engagement or environmental design may be contributing to reduced disorder and theft from vehicles. Conversely, criminal damage and arson surged by 333.3%, jumping from 3 to 13 incidents, a stark increase that may be linked to seasonal factors such as colder weather encouraging vandalism or targeted attacks on unoccupied properties. Burglary also rose sharply by 200%, from 1 to 3 cases, reflecting increased opportunities during post-holiday periods when homes are temporarily unoccupied.

The crime rate in Royal Wootton Bassett rose by 11.4% in January 2026 compared to December 2025, moving from 5.1 to 5.7 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area remains 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile than the national benchmark. On a daily basis, approximately two crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that translates to one crime occurring for roughly every 177 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides context for local residents, illustrating that crime remains relatively infrequent in the area. The population-scaled perspective shows that, despite the month-on-month rise, the overall risk of experiencing a crime remains proportionally lower than in many comparable communities across the UK. These figures align with the town’s character as a built-up area within Wiltshire, where lower population density and community-focused policing may contribute to sustained below-average rates.