Bilston (Wolverhampton) Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 33,640 residents, 432 crimes were reported in January 2024, translating to a rate of 12.8 per 1,000 people. This figure is 73.0% above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, highlighting a stark contrast with national trends. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 39.6% of all reports, followed by shoplifting (11.8%) and vehicle crime (9.0%). These rates are particularly striking when compared to UK averages: violence and sexual offences in Bilston are 96% higher than the national rate, while shoplifting is 163% above the UK average. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributes to the elevated rates of violent crime and property offences. In contrast, anti-social behaviour in Bilston is 9% below the UK average, possibly reflecting local community initiatives or differences in policing priorities. The area’s urban character, with a mix of residential and commercial spaces, may explain the prominence of shoplifting and vehicle crime, which are often linked to high-traffic zones and parking areas. However, the sharp divergence from UK averages suggests a need for targeted interventions to address the specific drivers of crime in this built-up area of Wolverhampton.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in crime types, with shoplifting surging by 131.8% (from 22 to 51 incidents) and possession of weapons increasing by 133.3% (from 3 to 7). These spikes contrast sharply with a 36.8% drop in burglary, which fell from 19 to 12 cases. The violent crime category remained high, with 171 incidents (5.1 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This imbalance suggests that Bilston’s violence and sexual offences rate is 96% above the national average, a figure that would be of concern to local residents. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour in the area was 9% below the UK average, a rare positive deviation that may reflect community-led efforts or variations in enforcement. The sharp rise in shoplifting, which is 163% above the UK average, could be tied to the post-Christmas period and reduced retail security measures during quieter winter months. These trends underscore the need for tailored strategies to address the specific pressures on Bilston’s crime profile, particularly in the retail and public spaces.

Bilston’s crime rate in January 2024 rose to 12.8 per 1,000 residents, a 5.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 12.2. This translates to approximately 14 crimes reported daily, a figure that, while consistent with the area’s urban density, remains significantly higher than the UK average. On a monthly scale, the 432 reported crimes equate to one incident for every 78 residents—highlighting the frequency of crime in this built-up area. When contextualised against the population of 33,640, the 12.8 per 1,000 rate means that roughly 1 in 78 residents experienced a crime in January. This is higher than the UK’s 1-in-133 average, underscoring Bilston’s elevated risk profile. The daily crime count provides a tangible sense of exposure for residents: over the course of a single day, 14 incidents were recorded, a figure that would likely be of concern to local households. While the month-on-month increase is modest, the persistent gap between Bilston’s rates and the UK average suggests systemic challenges that may require long-term solutions, such as enhanced community policing or targeted crime prevention programs.