Westbury (Wiltshire) Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 saw Westbury (Wiltshire) record a crime rate of 4.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 35.5% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. The area’s crime profile was dominated by violent crimes, which accounted for 45.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and criminal damage (10.0%). This pattern aligns with the built-up nature of Westbury, where community interactions and local events may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal offences. Seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night and the pre-Christmas shopping rush likely influenced the crime picture, with shoplifting incidents dropping sharply as retailers and police prioritised security measures. The dominance of violent crimes over property crimes contrasts with some UK regions, where theft and burglary often lead. This shift may reflect Westbury’s character as a smaller, more tightly knit community where disputes and conflicts are more likely to escalate into reported violence. The area’s overall crime rate, while stable, remains significantly lower than the UK average, suggesting effective policing or community initiatives that mitigate criminal activity. However, the 600% surge in 'Other crime' highlights an emerging trend that requires further analysis to determine its origins and potential impact on local safety.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in November 2024 was a 600% increase in 'Other crime', rising from one to seven incidents. This surge, though not explicitly defined in the data, may reflect unclassified or emerging crime types that warrant closer attention. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 87.5% (from eight to one incident), potentially linked to the timing of Black Friday sales and increased police presence in retail areas. Violent crimes remained the dominant category, accounting for 45.6% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000—15% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 31.8% decline, from 22 to 15 incidents, due to heightened community engagement during Bonfire Night events. 'Other crime' now exceeds the UK average by 135%, indicating a unique local trend that may require further investigation into its underlying causes.

Westbury’s crime rate in November 2024 rose 11.0% compared to October, moving from 4.4 to 4.9 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend, though modest, reflects shifting patterns in the local crime profile. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for vigilance during peak activity periods. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 206 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains significantly below the UK average. This statistic provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, highlighting that the majority of the population is unaffected by crime. The increase in overall rate contrasts with the previous month’s lower numbers, suggesting seasonal or situational factors may have influenced reporting. The local population of 18,511 further contextualises these figures, showing that even small shifts in crime type or frequency can have measurable impacts on community perceptions of safety.