Swindon and Wiltshire have the lowest overall crime rate in the country, figures have revealed.
According to numbers given by the Office of National Statistics, 52.8 crimes per 1,000 persons, or 39,715 crimes, were recorded in Swindon and Wiltshire in the fiscal year ending September 2024.
According to the data, the force ranks lowest nationally in crimes involving violence against persons, with 22.1 crimes per 1,000 people, for a total of 16,220.
Wiltshire Police also had the lowest rates of drug offences (1.4 crimes per 1,000 persons, for a total of 1,054) and knife crime (34 crimes per 100,000 people), with knife crime down 19% year on year.
However, reported sexual offences have climbed by 5% year on year, with 1,999 recorded in the previous year.
When compared to other forces of similar size, the force continues to rank second lowest in terms of sexual offenses.
Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “These data show how the force’s efforts are translating into actual results in terms of the volume of various crime types, which is encouraging to see.
“Whilst I’m reassured to see a reduction in these recorded crimes locally, I’m acutely aware that there is still a long way to go.”We must continue to collaborate closely with partners to ensure that the required preventative measures are in place, as well as that all victims of crime are supported and receive the best possible service from the police and the professional victim support services commissioned by this office.
“However, I remain worried that Wiltshire Police’s journey of improvement may be jeopardised if future funding requirements are not satisfied.
“There has had to be tremendous investment in the force to guarantee that our towns are not only better places to live, work, and visit, but that residents feel safer as well.
“If we are forced to decrease services year after year due to an outmoded and inadequate police funding model, the improvements we are witnessing from Wiltshire Police will be reversed.
“Your continued investment through the precept will allow us to continue driving transformation within Wiltshire Police – ensuring it becomes one of the most effective and efficient forces in the country.”
The force has announced plans to save a further £5.2 million over the next year due to Home Office restrictions.
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