Cookham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cookham’s crime rate in October 2023 stood at 7.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a notable 12.5% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This places the area among the safer built-up regions in the country. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.6% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson at 23.7%. Vehicle crime formed the third-largest category, contributing 13.2% to the total. These patterns align with the area’s character as a largely residential community within Windsor and Maidenhead, where property-related crimes and antisocial behaviour are more common than in densely populated urban centres. Seasonal factors may have influenced the data, as October’s shorter evenings and Halloween festivities could have contributed to increased reports of violence and public order offences. However, the overall crime rate remains significantly lower than the national average, suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives may be at play. The relatively low incidence of burglary—only 2.6% of total crimes—further reinforces the area’s stability, though this may also reflect the limited retail and commercial activity typical of smaller built-up areas. While a direct link to specific interventions, the sustained below-average rate indicates a consistent trend in crime prevention that warrants continued monitoring.

October 2023 saw a dramatic 500% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 2 to 12 incidents. This surge, though still 19% below the UK average for this category, may be partly explained by the transition to darker evenings and seasonal events like Halloween, which can heighten tensions in community spaces. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 50% compared to the previous month, dropping from 2 to 1 incident—a decline that could reflect improved home security measures or reduced opportunities for opportunistic theft in a low-density area. The category of criminal damage and arson saw an even steeper rise, jumping from 0 to 9 incidents—a 100% increase that places it 170% above the UK average for this type of crime. This anomaly may be linked to specific local factors, such as increased vandalism during the autumn season or targeted acts in areas with limited surveillance. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained 53% below the UK average, suggesting that community cohesion or local enforcement strategies may be effectively curbing disruptive conduct. For residents, the most immediate takeaway is the sharp rise in violence, which underscores the need for continued vigilance in public spaces during the late autumn months.

The crime rate in Cookham rose sharply from 2.0 per 1,000 in September to 7.0 per 1,000 in October, a 245% increase. This jump, while significant, must be contextualised within the area’s unique demographics. Over the course of October, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 143 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, despite the month-on-month surge. Daily crime statistics show an average of one incident per day in Cookham, a figure that appears modest when compared to the population of 5,451. This suggests that while crime has increased in absolute terms, the scale remains manageable for a built-up area of this size. The contrast between the local and UK averages is particularly striking in categories like violence and sexual offences, which are 19% below the national rate, and anti-social behaviour, which is 53% below. However, the spike in criminal damage and arson—170% above the UK average—highlights a specific vulnerability that may require targeted interventions. For residents, the most tangible measure is the daily crime count, which, while rising, remains a manageable figure in the context of Cookham’s relatively small population. This underscores the importance of local policing strategies in maintaining stability, even amid seasonal fluctuations.