New figures from the Office of National Statistics show Swindon and the rest of Wiltshire have the lowest overall crime rate in the country.
In the year ending in September 2024, there were 52.8 crimes per 1,000 people for a total of 39,715.
The report also says the Wiltshire Police area ranks lowest nationally in crimes related to violence against the person (22.1 crimes per 1,000 population - total 16,220), drug offences (1.4 crimes per 1,000 population - total 1,054) and knife crime (34 crimes per 100,000 population), with knife crime also being down 19 percent year on year (total 254).
Other types of crime whose levels dropped in the past year include firearm offences (-27 percent - total 36), robbery (-34 percent - total 221), possession of weapons (-14 percent - total 374) and shoplifting (-11 percent - total 3,694).
Reported sexual offences have increased slightly by five percent year on year (total 1,999), although the Wiltshire force still ranks second lowest for sexual offences when compared with other similar sized forces.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “These figures reflect how the improvements being made within the force are translating into tangible outcomes when it comes to the volume of several 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 work closely with partners to ensure the necessary preventative measures are in place, as well as ensuring all victims of crime are supported and receiving the best possible service from the police and specialist victim support services commissioned by my office.
“However, I continue to be concerned that Wiltshire Police’s journey of improvement will be at risk if future funding requirements are not met. There has had to be significant investment in the force to ensure our communities are not only safer places to live, work and visit, but residents are also feeling safer too.
“If we face having to continuously cut services year after year because of the outdated and inadequate police funding formula, this will result in backwards steps in terms of the improvements we are seeing from Wiltshire Police.
“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.”
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “We are determined to ensure that victims receive the best possible outcomes and that we do all we can to bring offenders to justice.
“We constantly review and refine the service we offer through rigorous ongoing training, robust oversight and partnership working. It is clear that this hard work is making a difference and bringing about the improvements that we are working towards.
“These statistics reflect real outcomes for victims - we are acutely aware of this.
“I know that there is a renewed determination at every level of the organisation to drive improvements and to build trust in the communities we serve.”
People can have their say on the future of Wiltshire Police funding by filling out the Use Your Voice Survey.
They can see the full ONS report here.
The report also says the Wiltshire Police area ranks lowest nationally in crimes related to violence against the person (22.1 crimes per 1,000 population - total 16,220), drug offences (1.4 crimes per 1,000 population - total 1,054) and knife crime (34 crimes per 100,000 population), with knife crime also being down 19 percent year on year (total 254).
Other types of crime whose levels dropped in the past year include firearm offences (-27 percent - total 36), robbery (-34 percent - total 221), possession of weapons (-14 percent - total 374) and shoplifting (-11 percent - total 3,694).
Reported sexual offences have increased slightly by five percent year on year (total 1,999), although the Wiltshire force still ranks second lowest for sexual offences when compared with other similar sized forces.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “These figures reflect how the improvements being made within the force are translating into tangible outcomes when it comes to the volume of several 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 work closely with partners to ensure the necessary preventative measures are in place, as well as ensuring all victims of crime are supported and receiving the best possible service from the police and specialist victim support services commissioned by my office.
“However, I continue to be concerned that Wiltshire Police’s journey of improvement will be at risk if future funding requirements are not met. There has had to be significant investment in the force to ensure our communities are not only safer places to live, work and visit, but residents are also feeling safer too.
“If we face having to continuously cut services year after year because of the outdated and inadequate police funding formula, this will result in backwards steps in terms of the improvements we are seeing from Wiltshire Police.
“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.”
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “We are determined to ensure that victims receive the best possible outcomes and that we do all we can to bring offenders to justice.
“We constantly review and refine the service we offer through rigorous ongoing training, robust oversight and partnership working. It is clear that this hard work is making a difference and bringing about the improvements that we are working towards.
“These statistics reflect real outcomes for victims - we are acutely aware of this.
“I know that there is a renewed determination at every level of the organisation to drive improvements and to build trust in the communities we serve.”
People can have their say on the future of Wiltshire Police funding by filling out the Use Your Voice Survey.
They can see the full ONS report here.
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