Bewdley Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In March 2024, Bewdley reported 64 crimes across a population of 11,348 residents, translating to a crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 people. This figure is 27.3% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, indicating a generally lower level of crime compared to the national picture. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.9% of all incidents (23 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (28.1%, 18 cases). These patterns reflect the area's character as a small built-up community, where interpersonal conflicts and public order issues may play a larger role than in larger urban centres. The seasonal transition to spring, with longer evenings and the clocks changing, may have influenced activity patterns, contributing to the rise in anti-social behaviour. While shoplifting, burglary, and possession of weapons all saw significant increases compared to February, these were offset by notable declines in vehicle crime, drug-related incidents, and other theft. The overall crime profile remains relatively stable, with no single category dominating to an extreme degree. This balance suggests that local policing efforts, community engagement, and the area's compact nature may be effective in managing crime levels despite the seasonal fluctuations observed.

March 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (100% from 0 to 4 incidents), burglary (100% from 2 to 4), and possession of weapons (100% from 0 to 1). These spikes, though small in absolute terms, may partly explain the 25.6% monthly rise in Bewdley's overall crime rate. Anti-social behaviour remained the second-most common crime, accounting for 28.1% of all incidents—38% above the UK average of 1.2 per 1,000. This contrast with the UK's lower rate suggests local factors, such as community interactions or seasonal activity patterns, could be influencing this category. Meanwhile, vehicle crime fell by 57.1% (from 7 to 3), and drug-related incidents dropped by 75% (from 4 to 1), reflecting the impact of targeted policing or seasonal changes in illicit activity. The rise in shoplifting, in particular, could be linked to the extended evenings of spring, increasing foot traffic in retail areas.

Bewdley's crime rate in March 2024 rose by 25.6% compared to February's 4.5 per 1,000, reaching 5.6 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, suggests a shift in local dynamics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 177 residents—a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents for those living in the area. On a daily basis, Bewdley experienced approximately 2 crimes per day, a rate that aligns with the area's character as a small built-up community within Wyre Forest. While this daily count may seem low, it reflects the concentrated nature of incidents in a relatively compact population. The 27.3% reduction in Bewdley's overall rate compared to the UK average (7.7 per 1,000) highlights the area's generally lower exposure to crime, though specific categories like anti-social behaviour remain higher than national benchmarks.