Westbury (Wiltshire) Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Westbury's overall crime rate in September 2025 stood at 4.4 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 40.5% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This performance reflects a broader trend of lower-than-national crime levels, particularly in property-related offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 54.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.6%) and public order issues (8.5%). The dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes typically constitute a larger share. Seasonal factors may partly explain this pattern: September marks the return of students to local schools and universities, potentially increasing social interactions in public spaces. While violent crime rates in Westbury are 7% below the UK average for this category (2.4 vs 2.6 per 1,000), other areas such as anti-social behaviour show even starker differences, with Westbury’s rate 40% below the national figure. The area’s relatively low levels of property crime—particularly burglary, shoplifting, and vehicle-related theft—align with its character as a built-up area within Wiltshire, where commercial activity may be less concentrated than in major urban centres. These patterns suggest that Westbury’s crime profile is shaped by its smaller scale and the seasonal rhythms of its population, though further analysis would be needed to confirm causal links.

September 2025 saw a marked increase in violence and sexual offences, which rose by 50% compared to the previous month, from 30 to 45 incidents. This surge may reflect the influx of students returning to local educational institutions. Public order offences also rose sharply by 40%, from 5 to 7 cases, potentially linked to heightened social activity in the evenings as daylight hours diminish. Conversely, burglary rates fell dramatically by 85.7%, from 7 to 1 incident, a decline that could indicate improved security measures or reduced opportunities in a smaller community. Shoplifting also dropped by two-thirds (from 3 to 1), and other thefts fell by 57.1% (from 7 to 3), suggesting that local retailers may have adopted more effective prevention strategies. Westbury’s rate of 'other crime'—which includes unclassified or less common offences—was 87% above the UK average, a figure that warrants closer examination given its relatively low overall crime levels. For residents, the significant reduction in burglary and shoplifting offers a tangible reassurance of safety in local retail and residential areas.

Westbury’s crime rate in September 2025 (4.4 per 1,000) marked a 16.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000, indicating a sustained period of improvement. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day over the month, a figure that, while locally relevant, cannot be directly compared to national data due to the lack of a UK-wide daily crime benchmark. Monthly exposure calculations reveal that over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 226 residents—a statistic that provides context for how frequently residents might encounter crime in their daily lives. With a population of 18,511, Westbury’s crime levels remain low compared to the UK average, particularly when considering its status as a built-up area. The area’s population density, while lower than that of major cities, may contribute to its ability to maintain lower crime rates through community cohesion and reduced anonymity. These figures highlight the importance of local context in interpreting crime statistics, as Westbury’s performance defies some national trends, particularly in violent crime, which is 7% below the UK average. The combination of demographic factors and seasonal patterns—such as the start of the academic year—suggests that Westbury’s crime dynamics are distinct from larger urban centres, though further research would be needed to fully understand these differences.