Violent crime is decreasing in Wiltshire, but ‘not low enough yet’

Fewer violent offences have been committed in Wiltshire in the past year, but Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson is determined to ensure it is driven down further by continuing to work with partners to make Wiltshire safer.

According to ‘The Nature of Violent Crime in England and Wales’ published last week by the Office of National Statistics, national levels of recorded violent crime appear to be gradually decreasing and this is reflected locally in Wiltshire and Swindon.

While there is no single measure of violent crime, the ONS survey shows gradual decreases in violence with and without injury, and domestic abuse, over the last decade. 

In the year ending March 2024, there was an overall reduction of 8% in recorded crime year on year with several reductions in individual crime types, including: 

• Violence against the person: - 11% 
• Sexual offences: - 3%
• Robbery - 28%

Wiltshire also has the fifth lowest number of knife crime offences nationally and recorded a decrease of 8%, a decrease of 26 crimes, for the year ending March 2024 in comparison to the previous 12 months.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson said: “Serious Violence has a devastating impact on individuals involved, their families and the wider community and what we then see is that trauma being carried forward and becoming a precursor to further offences in our communities, that’s why a public health approach is key in effectively driving down violent offences.

“The police cannot tackle serious violence alone and the only effective way to tackle serious violence on our streets is by partners working together and I’m pleased to see the progress that’s being made locally in Wiltshire and Swindon because of the police working with local authorities, health, fire & rescue services, probation, and youth justice services in addition to my office and specialist commissioned services.

“Reducing serious violence remains top of my agenda, and with the right organisations at the table we can address not only the symptoms of crime but also the underlying causes and consequences, this recorded reduction is testament to the focus that’s been placed on effectively tackling serious violence, but we must ensure the momentum continues as it’s not low enough yet.”

The Violence Reduction Partnership works together to strengthen early identification of those at risk of perpetrating or becoming a victim of serious violence and fund initiatives to divert those at risk away from criminality and enable people to access help and support. 

This includes commissioning specialist services targeted towards those most at risk of perpetrating or falling victim to serious violence. These services include:

• Focussed deterrence, targeting known young people that are most at risk and diverting them away from criminality.
• Street doctors, education sessions for children supported by youth justice teams teaching them how to treat and respond to injuries from sharp weapons or head injuries caused by violence
• WAY Beacons, A&E navigators in Great Western Hospital aiming to break the cycle of readmissions, crime, violence and risk-taking behaviour by engaging with young people aged 11-25 whilst in A&E and connecting them to ongoing support in their communities