Wrexham Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences emerged as the dominant category in Wrexham's May 2023 crime picture, accounting for 38.5% of all reported incidents. This category alone contributed to a crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents, 37% above the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The prominence of violent crime in Wrexham, a mid-sized town in north Wales, likely reflects a combination of local demographics and seasonal factors. May, with its extended daylight hours and bank holidays, typically sees increased social activity in public spaces, a pattern that may contribute to higher rates of violence and anti-social behaviour. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 18.3% of all crimes, with a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 residents—35% above the UK average. This suggests that community tensions or unmet social needs may be contributing to persistent disorder. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson, at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, were 94% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the relatively low rates of vehicle crime, which stood at 0.2 per 1,000, 56% below the UK figure. These divergent trends highlight the complexity of Wrexham's crime profile, where property-related crimes are low compared to violent and anti-social incidents. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings, outdoor drinking, and social gatherings—may be a key driver of the elevated rates of violence and public order offences. Local authorities must balance targeted interventions to address violent crime with efforts to maintain the lower levels of vehicle and property crime that have been achieved.

May 2023 saw a sharp 175% increase in possession of weapons, with incidents rising from 4 to 11. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may indicate shifting patterns in local criminal activity or heightened enforcement efforts. Burglary also rose by 90%, from 20 to 38, a jump that could be linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and increased outdoor activity. Conversely, robbery fell by two-thirds, from 3 to 1, a decline that may reflect improved security measures or a shift in criminal focus. Theft from the person rose by 75%, from 4 to 7, a trend that aligns with the seasonal context of May, when longer evenings and bank holidays may encourage more public drinking and socialising. Violence and sexual offences, at 3.8 per 1,000, remain 37% above the UK average, highlighting a critical area for local authorities to address. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 56% compared to the UK average, suggesting that Wrexham's infrastructure may be better protected against such incidents than typical for its size.

Wrexham's crime rate in May 2023 rose to 9.8 per 1,000 residents, a 6.1% increase from the previous month's 9.3 per 1,000. This places the area 22.5% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a gap that has widened slightly over recent months. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 44 crimes per day in May, a figure that underscores the persistent pressure on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for roughly every 102 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not extreme, reflects a consistent presence of criminal activity in a community of 138,245 people. This statistic is particularly relevant for residents assessing risk in their daily lives, as it illustrates the frequency of incidents in a population-scaled context. The increase in violent crimes, especially violence and sexual offences, contrasts with the UK average, suggesting localized factors that may require targeted interventions.