Westbury Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Westbury (Wiltshire), 4.4 crimes were reported in May 2023 — 45% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly 3 crimes in the built-up area, with over half of these incidents falling under violence and sexual offences. The area's crime profile shows a stark contrast to national trends, with violent crimes accounting for 51.2% of all reports (42 cases), far exceeding the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000 (17% below Westbury's rate). Anti-social behaviour (18 cases) and criminal damage and arson (8 cases) follow as the next most common categories, both significantly lower than their respective UK averages. Seasonal factors in May — including longer evenings, increased outdoor drinking, and bank holidays — likely contribute to the elevated proportion of violent incidents, though the built-up area's smaller population and lower population density may also play a role in reducing overall crime rates compared to larger urban centres. The relatively low property crime rate (16 cases, 19.5% of total) suggests that residential and commercial areas in Westbury may benefit from community policing efforts or lower foot traffic patterns compared to more densely populated regions.

May 2023 saw sharp increases in burglary (+200%), criminal damage and arson (+166.7%), and shoplifting (+100%) compared to April, while other theft cases fell by 50%. These shifts highlight a growing concern for property crime, with burglary rates tripling to 3 cases — a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Violent crimes, though still significantly below the UK average (2.3 per 1,000 vs 2.8 per 1,000), accounted for over half of all incidents, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in public spaces. The 70% gap between Westbury's public order offences (0.2 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.7 per 1,000) indicates a lower prevalence of disorderly conduct, possibly linked to the area's smaller population and quieter residential character. Residents might find the 45% UK comparison particularly relevant, as it underscores the area's relative safety despite the rise in certain crime types. The 100% increase in shoplifting could reflect seasonal shopping patterns or changes in retail activity, though no specific data points confirm this link.

Westbury's crime rate in May 2023 rose 60.5% from April's 2.8 per 1,000, yet remains 45% below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 226 residents — a figure that, while showing an increase from previous months, still places the area well within the lower end of national benchmarks. Daily crime counts averaged 3 incidents per day, a figure that, when contextualised against Westbury's population of 18,511, suggests that most residents are unlikely to encounter crime in their daily routines. The population-scaled perspective reveals that even with the month-on-month rise, the risk of being a victim in Westbury remains significantly lower than in many other parts of the UK. For instance, the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000 would translate to one crime for every 125 residents in a similar-sized area, highlighting the built-up area's continued position as a relatively safe locality. This contrast becomes even more pronounced when considering specific categories like public order offences, where Westbury's rate is 70% below the UK average, suggesting a broader pattern of lower disorderly conduct compared to larger urban centres.