Increase in serious crime across Wiltshire in 2022

Violent offences are up, but drug offences have dropped

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 29th Apr 2023

2022 saw an increased demand of Wiltshire Police across a range of crimes, with sexual and violent offences rising significantly.

The stats have been released by the Office of National Statistics.

Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith said the stats reflect the national picture, but also highlights the challenge the county’s officers are facing.

She said: “We are targeting significant resources to meet this challenge with renewed sense of focus and direction - specifically meeting the operational priorities set out by our new Chief Constable around protecting public spaces, tackling violence and burglary.”

Sexual offences rose 13%, theft offences are up 21% and public order offences have risen 12%.

However, drug offences are down 7%.

Ms Smith added: “It is gratifying to note that the latest set of statistics indicate a decrease in the number of drug offences which reflect our determination to tackle the root causes of criminality in our communities which fuel many forms of offending.

“Statistics of course do not tell the whole story. We place the victims at the heart of everything we do and recognise that there is further work we need to do in order to protect our communities.”

And she also stated that working in partnership with organisations around the county to secure convictions, promote rehabilitation and make Wiltshire a safer place.

Here are the stats for Wiltshire:

  • Violence against the person: 7 % increase (24.3 offences per 1,000)
  • Sexual offences: 13 % increase (2.6 offences per 1,000)
  • Robbery: 9 % increase (0.5 offences per 1,000)
  • Theft offences: 21 % increase (15.7 offences per 1,000)
  • Criminal Damage and Arson: 2 % increase (6.8 offences per 1,000)
  • Drug Offences: -7 %, decrease (1.5 offences per 1,000)
  • Possession of Weapons offences: 27 % increase (0.6 offences per 1,000)
  • Public Order offences: 12 % increase (5.6 offences per 1,000)

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