Crime and safety

Total theft offences

Theft covers a range of offences including residential and commercial burglary, property theft, shoplifting, theft from the person and robbery.

Between 2018 and 2022, there were just over 30,000 theft offences reported in Wiltshire, representing a rate of 121.7 offences per 10,000 persons. Theft rates were highest in Salisbury and Trowbridge community areas.

The chart below shows the rate of reported theft offences per 10,000 persons in each of Wiltshire's community areas between 2018-2022.

Definition: All theft offences excluding vehicle thefts. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Theft offences: Commercial and residential burglary

Commercial and residential burglary are a subset of wider theft offences that can cause both psychological and financial distress for victims.

In the five-year period, 2018-2022, the rate of reported burglaries across Wiltshire stood at 29.2 per 10,000 persons, a total of almost 7,330 offences.

Over the same time period, rates of reported burglary were higher than the county average in Bradford on Avon, Marlborough, Pewsey, Salisbury, South West Wiltshire, Southern Wiltshire, Trowbridge and Warminster community areas

Definition: Burglary is the theft, or attempted theft, from a premises where access is not authorised, and covers both residential and business and community burglaries. Residential burglary is the entering of a person's private living accommodation (home) as a trespasser with intent to commit theft, grievous bodily harm, or criminal damage. Business (commercial) or community burglaries are distinguished by the function of the building. Damage to a premises that appears to have been caused by a person attempting to enter to commit a burglary, is also counted as burglary. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Theft offences: Robbery

Robbery is another subset of wider theft offences that pertains to the theft of property that involves the use of threats or violence. Robbery can have profound long-term effects on victims ranging from physical injury to fear, emotional distress and compromised feelings of safety and confidence.

Between 2018-2022, approximately 630 robberies were recorded in Wiltshire, equivalent to a rate of 2.5 per 10,000 persons. Notably higher rates over this time were recorded in Trowbridge and Salisbury community areas. The chart below shows the rate of reported robberies per 10,000 persons in each of Wiltshire's community areas between 2018-2022.

Definition: Robbery is the offence where by the offender steals by using force on any person. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Reported anti-social behaviour incidents

Where anti-social behaviour (ASB) persists, it can adversely impact on feelings of safety as well as quality of life, particularly for those who are vulnerable or suffer repeat victimisation.

Between 2018 and 2022, just over 39,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported to the police in Wiltshire, representing a rate of 156.1 per 10,000 persons. Over this time, the highest rates were found in Salisbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham community areas.

Definition: Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the term given to any kind of activity that causes harm, alarm or distress to an individual or a community. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Community resolutions

Community resolution provides an alternative mechanism for the police to address less serious offences without recourse to formal criminal proceedings.

Offences that are deemed appropriate for community resolution may include things like anti-social behaviour and public disorder. Whilst these offences are comparatively less serious in nature than some other crimes, they can still have a significant negative impact on both individuals and communities.

Community resolutions can help to reduce the risk of repeat offending by encouraging perpetrators to confront the impact of their behaviour and to take responsibility for making good the harm caused. If an individual was non-compliant with their community resolution and are then encountered again as part of the criminal justice system, a community resolution would not be used and the individual would be given a formal outcome charge/summons.

Between 2018-2022, there were almost 1,700 community resolutions in Wiltshire, equivalent to a rate of 6.8 per 10,000 persons. The chart below shows the rate of community resolutions per 10,000 persons in each of Wiltshire's community areas over the same time period.

Definition: Community resolutions provide an alternative mechanism for the police to address less serious offences without recourse to formal criminal proceedings. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Total crime involving persons under 18 years

There are many complex reasons that may cause a young person to become involved in offending. These can include a combination of factors such as peer pressure, substance use, poor emotional wellbeing and/or challenges relating to home, personal or educational circumstances. The provision of support for young people in areas such as these is therefore key in the prevention of youth offending.

Between 2018-2022, approximately 820 offences were recorded in Wiltshire that were committed by persons under the age of 18, equivalent to a rate of 15.5 per 10,000 persons within this age group. The chart below shows the comparative rates of offences committed by under 18 year olds (as a rate per 10,000 persons within this age range) within Wiltshire's community areas between 2018-2022.

Definition: Youth crime is primarily committed by children aged 10-17. It includes the following offence groups: arson and criminal damage, burglary, drug offences, miscellaneous crimes against society, possession of weapons, public order offences, robbery, sexual offences, theft offences, vehicle offences and violence against the person. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Knife crime involving under 18 year olds

Knife crime involving young people is a high-profile topic that is a significant concern to many.

Between 2018 and 2022 there were approximately 120 recorded knife crimes involving persons aged under 18 in Wiltshire. This equates to a rate of 2.3 per 10,000 under 18 year olds across the county.

Over this period, rates of recorded knife crimes involving young people under the age of 18 were higher than the Wiltshire average in Trowbridge, Warminster, Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade, Westbury and Salisbury community areas.

Definition: Knife crime includes a knife/blade being used, the threat of its use, or its possession in relation to specific serious violence offences, including: homicide, attempted murder, wounding causing grievous bodily harm, robbery of business property and robbery of personal property and other violent and sexual offences such as threats to kill, actual bodily harm, rape and sexual assaults. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, persons aged 0-17, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Knife crime involving persons aged 18 years and over

Crime involving knives can have a serious impact on victims, families, and the wider community. Whilst knife crime involving young people is often the focus of national media attention, it is also perpetrated by adults.

Almost 400 knife crimes involving persons aged 18 and over were recorded in Wiltshire between 2018-2022. This is a rate of 2 per 10,000 persons aged 18 years old and over across the county.

The chart below shows the rate of knife crimes involving persons aged 18 and over (per 10,000 persons) in each of Wiltshire's community areas between 2018-2022.

Definition: Knife crime includes a knife/blade being used, the threat of its use, or its possession in relation to specific serious violence offences, including: homicide, attempted murder, wounding causing grievous bodily harm, robbery of business property and robbery of personal property and other violent and sexual offences such as threats to kill, actual bodily harm, rape and sexual assaults. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, persons aged 18+, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Hate crime

A hate crime is defined by the police and Crown Prosecution Service as 'any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.'

Between 2018 and 2022, approximately 1,800 hate crimes were recorded across Wiltshire, equivalent to a rate of 7.4 per 10,000 persons. Over this period, rates of recorded hate crime were higher than that recorded across Wiltshire as a whole in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Warminster, Devizes and Melksham community areas.

Definition: A hate crime is any crime committed against an individual or community that is perceived to be motivated by prejudice or hostility in relation to protected characteristics. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) refers to criminal acts of violence or abuse that disproportionately affect females.

Types of offences included in this crime group include murder and manslaughter, violent offences, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking and harassment. Offences such as these can have a deeply harmful and profound effect on victims and their loved ones, and can also have a negative impact on wider feelings of safety, freedom and equality.

Over the five year period, 2018-2022, almost 4,700 crimes of this nature were recorded in Wiltshire. This is a rate of 36.9 offences per 10,000 females in the county, and equivalent to approximately 900 offences annually.

The chart below shows the comparative rates (per 10,000 females) of reported crimes relating to violence against women and girls in each of Wiltshire's community areas between 2018-2022.

Definition: Violence against women and girls measures describes all crimes that disproportionately affect women and girls, including specific offences from the following groupings: murder and manslaughter, violence with injury, honour based abuse, rape, stalking and harassment, modern slavery and human trafficking exploitation, exploitation of prostitution, domestic abuse crimes and other sexual offences. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, females, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Reported domestic abuse offences

Frequently under reported, domestic abuse refers to any type of controlling, threatening or violent behaviour between persons aged 16 or over within either a personal or familial relationship. The term does not refer solely to physical violence but can also include emotional, physical, sexual, financial or psychological abuse.

Between 2018 and 2022, almost 20,000 offences of domestic abuse were recorded in Wiltshire, equivalent to a rate of 96.3 offences per 10,000 persons aged 16 and over.

Over the same time period, rates of recorded domestic abuse were highest in Trowbridge and Salisbury community areas.

Definition: Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners, or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, persons aged 16 and over, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Reported domestic abuse offences where children/young people were present

Domestic abuse is a significant issue that cuts across all social and cultural groups and witnessing it can have long-term effects on children and young people.

In the five-year period, 2018-2022, 5,193 domestic abuse offences were reported in Wiltshire where children/young people were present.

Definition: Number of domestic abuse offences occurring when one or more children (aged under 18 years old) were present or witness to the abuse. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. 

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Child internet exploitation offences

Child internet exploitation is the term given to online sexual abuse involving children. It happens when a child or young person (under the age of 18) is coerced, manipulated or deceived into sexual activity, and includes offences such as the abuse of power in a position of trust, engaging in sexual activity or communication as well as child pornography and prostitution. Between 2018-2022, approximately 400 offences of this nature were reported in Wiltshire, equivalent to a rate of 7.2 offences per 10,000 persons aged under 18. Rates of reported offences over the five-year period 2018-2022 were notably higher than the county average in Calne, Devizes and Tidworth community areas. A breakdown of the rates of these offences per 10,000 persons aged under 18 by Wiltshire's community areas is shown in the chart below.

Definition: Child internet exploitation covers offences against children and young people aged under 18 years old where the offence occurs online, including but not limited to: exposure, voyeurism, engaging in sexual activity or communication, abuse of power in a position of trust, rape, child pornography, and child prostitution. Offence location provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, 0-17 year olds, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Missing persons (aged under 18 years)

In the five-year period, 2018-2022, close to 1,800 young persons (aged under 18 years) were reported missing to Wiltshire Police. This is a rate of 33.8 per 10,000 persons within this age group, and an average of approximately 360 persons per year. Rates were higher than Wiltshire’s in seven community areas with Trowbridge community area having the highest rate, at 62.2 persons aged under 18 reported missing per 10,000 persons within this age group.

The chart below shows the rate per 10,000 persons aged below 18 years reported missing to Wiltshire Police between 2018-2022 by Wiltshire community area.

Definition: Unique missing person count, for individuals aged under 18 years old. A missing person is anyone whose whereabouts is unknown whatever the circumstances of their disappearance. They will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing established. Data provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, 0-17 year olds, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Missing persons (aged 18 years and over)

In the five-year period, 2018-2022, almost 2,200 adults (aged 18 years and over) were reported missing to Wiltshire Police. This is a rate of 11.0 per 10,000 persons within this age group, and an average of approximately 400 persons each year.

The chart below shows the rate per 10,000 persons aged 18 years and over reported missing to Wiltshire Police between 2018-2022 by Wiltshire community area.

Definition: Unique missing person count, for individuals aged 18 years old or over. A missing person is anyone whose whereabouts is unknown whatever the circumstances of disappearance. They will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing established. Data provided at lower super output area (LSOA) level, assigned to Area Board (AB) based on proportion of residential dwellings in each LSOA/AB intersect. The rate was calculated by using the Office for National Statistics, Mid Year Estimates, 18+ year olds, in 2018, 2019 and (2020 x 3) per 10,000.

Data source and time period: Improvement and Change, Wiltshire Police. 2018-2022.

Killed or seriously injured casualties on Wiltshire roads

Traffic collisions are a major cause of preventable deaths and morbidity. Between 2020-2022, 482 serious injuries or fatalities were recorded on Wiltshire roads, equivalent to a rate of 3.2 casualties per 10,000 persons across the county.

As the data here covers 2020-2022, it is important to acknowledge the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic within this period. At the height of the pandemic, associated social and travel restrictions may have served to reduce overall traffic as well as road casualties.

Over the period analysed, the highest numbers of road casualties involving serious injuries or fatalities were in South West Wiltshire and Chippenham community areas.

Definition: Number of casualties fatally or seriously injured on all Wiltshire roads. Accident location recorded by parish, matched to Area Board.

Data source and time period: Police Stats 19 records, provided by Highways, Assets and Commissioning, Wiltshire Council. 2020-2022.

Road traffic collisions

Staying safe on the road is a priority for everyone. The vast majority of road traffic collisions are preventable and can be avoided through improved education, awareness, road infrastructure and vehicle safety.

Between 2020-2022, 2,526 road traffic collisions were recorded on Wiltshire roads, equivalent to a rate of 16.7 collisions per 10,000 persons.

As the data here covers 2020-2022, it is important to acknowledge the existence of the Covid-19 pandemic within this period. At the height of the pandemic, associated social and travel restrictions may have served to reduce overall traffic as well as collisions.

Over the period analysed, the highest numbers of road traffic collisions were in Chippenham and Stonehenge community areas.

Definition: Number of accidents on Wiltshire roads. Accident location recorded by parish, matched to Area Board.

Data source and time period: Police Stats 19 records, provided by Highways, Assets and Commissioning, Wiltshire Council. 2020-2022.

Alcohol-specific hospital admissions

Excessive alcohol consumption has consequences for both physical health (elevating the risk of strokes, liver and cardiovascular disease) as well as emotional wellbeing. Alcohol can also be a contributory factor in accidents or injuries, violence and anti-social behaviour.

One measure that can be used as an indicator of the extent of alcohol misuse is the number of alcohol specific hospital admissions. These are hospital admissions wholly due to the effects of alcohol and include conditions such as alcoholic liver disease and alcohol poisoning, by way of example.

In Wiltshire in 2021/22, there were in the region of 2,700 hospital admissions for conditions relating solely to alcohol, representing a rate of 530.7 admissions per 100,000 persons. A breakdown of the rates of alcohol specific hospital admissions per 100,000 persons in each of Wiltshire's community areas is shown below.

Definition: Alcohol-specific hospital admissions are those in which the hospital admission was wholly due to the effects of alcohol. Directly age standardised rate per 100,000 population (standardised to the European standard population).

Data source and time period: NHS Digital, Hospital Episode Statistics. 2021/22.

Persons over 18 years in treatment for substance misuse

Substance use (including alcohol and drugs) can negatively impact both physical and mental health and can have damaging long-term effects on individuals, families and communities. Over the three financial years 2020/21 - 2022/23, the rate of adults (aged 18 years and over) accessing treatment for substance use in Wiltshire stood at 25.9 per 10,000 persons within this age group.

The chart below shows the rate per 10,000 persons aged 18 and over accessing treatment for substance misuse in each of Wiltshire's community areas between 2020/21 - 2022/23.

Definition: Connect clients aged 18 years old and over in treatment for substance misuse, including both alcohol and drug misuse. Client postcode matched against Area Board using the Office for National Statistics, National Statistics Postcode Lookup, August 2023. Rate calculated using Census 2021 population aged 18+ multiplied by 3 for 3 year time period, per 10,000 persons.

Data source and time period: Wiltshire Council - Connect substance use service. 2020/21-2022/23.