Cookham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Cookham during May 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property offences, shaped by seasonal patterns and local characteristics. With a crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000 residents, the area recorded 39 total crimes, placing it 10% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 38.5% of all incidents (15 cases), closely aligned with the UK average rate of 2.8 per 1,000. This suggests a consistent level of violent crime in the area, likely influenced by the town's proximity to Windsor and the presence of a mixed residential and commercial environment. Anti-social behaviour followed at 18.0% (7 cases), reflecting community tensions or social gatherings that may intensify during May's longer evenings and bank holidays. Property-related crimes exhibited a different pattern: vehicle crime, burglary, and criminal damage were all significantly above UK averages. Vehicle crime, at 0.9 per 1,000 (5 cases), was 100% higher than the UK rate of 0.5 per 1,000. This discrepancy may partly explain by the area's built-up nature, which could include parking lots or roadways frequented by drivers. Burglary, at 0.7 per 1,000 (4 cases), was 126% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, linked to the town's historic buildings or unoccupied properties during holiday periods. Criminal damage and arson, though only 3 cases, saw a 200% increase from April, tied to seasonal outdoor activities or unseasonably warm weather encouraging more social gatherings. The overall crime mix illustrates a community where violent crime remains stable, but property-related incidents—particularly vehicle crime and burglary—stand out as areas for targeted attention. The seasonal context of May, with its extended daylight and bank holidays, may have contributed to the specific patterns observed, though the precise drivers remain to be explored through further analysis.

May 2023 saw notable shifts in Cookham's crime mix, with several categories experiencing significant changes compared to the previous month. Criminal damage and arson surged by 200%, rising from 1 to 3 cases—a sharp increase that may be linked to the town's seasonal social dynamics or unseasonal weather patterns encouraging outdoor activity. Shoplifting, which had not been reported in April, emerged as a new concern with 1 case, marking a 100% increase. This could indicate a shift in retail crime patterns during May, influenced by increased foot traffic or the timing of local events. Burglary also saw a 100% increase, jumping from 0 to 4 cases, which is particularly striking given the area's relatively low overall crime rate. This spike may be tied to the built-up nature of Cookham, where older properties or temporary unoccupancy during holidays could create vulnerabilities. The balance between violent and property crimes also shifted: while violence and sexual offences remained the most common category (38.5% of all crimes), property-related incidents now accounted for 48.7% (23 cases), compared to 41.5% in April. This increase in property crimes contrasts with the UK average for vehicle crime, which was 0.5 per 1,000, yet Cookham's rate of 0.9 per 1,000 highlights a localised risk. Residents may find the 100% increase in burglary particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a need for heightened awareness of home security measures. The data also reveals that public order offences, at 0.4 per 1,000 (2 cases), were 39% below the UK average, reflecting the town's relatively orderly environment despite the rise in certain crime types.

Cookham's crime rate in May 2023 (7.2 per 1,000) represented a 77% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.0 per 1,000, though it remained 10% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This month-on-month jump was driven by a 200% rise in criminal damage and arson, a 100% increase in burglary, and the emergence of shoplifting as a new category. When contextualised daily, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day in May, a figure that may feel more impactful in a small built-up area with a population of 5,451. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 140 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not extreme, underscores the visibility of crime in a community where even a single incident can have a noticeable effect. This rate is particularly significant when compared to the UK average, which is not provided in daily or monthly exposure terms. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Cookham's crime rate, though rising, remains lower than the national average. However, the sharp increase in certain categories—particularly burglary—raises questions about whether local factors, such as holiday-related property neglect or changes in community behaviour, could be contributing to this trend. While the overall rate is still below the UK average, the month-on-month changes highlight the importance of monitoring specific crime types that have seen rapid growth. For residents, the 1-in-140 monthly exposure rate serves as a reminder that crime, though not overwhelming, is a present concern that warrants attention to local policing efforts and community engagement strategies.