Re-Issue: Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties despite rise in recorded crime

New crime figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show an increase in recorded crime across Wiltshire in the year ending December 2025 compared with the previous year. 

Total recorded crime in Wiltshire rose by just over seven per cent (39,642 to 42,711) and increases were seen across every crime category, from violence and sexual offences through to public order offences and drug-related crime.  

Despite the year-on-year increase, Wiltshire continues to record the lowest crime rate in the South West and remains among the lowest within its most similar group of police force areas when population is taken into account (55.64 crimes per 1,000 residents), well below the national (83.53) and regional (73.17) levels. 

The data also reflects national trends showing increased reporting of crimes that have historically been underreported, particularly offences related to violence, sexual harm and public order.  

This reflects ongoing efforts within policing in Wiltshire to improve victim confidence and ensure crimes are recorded fully and correctly. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Any increase in crime is a concern, as behind every statistic is a victim of crime and these figures rightly remind us that there is more work to do. However, it is vital that these numbers are looked at in proper context.  

“The fact that we are seeing rises across every crime type strongly suggests that improved crime recording practices, better identification of offences, and increased public confidence in reporting crime are contributing factors. 

“When crimes are reported and recorded accurately, victims are more likely to receive the support they need and offenders are more likely to be held to account.” 

" My office will continue to work closely with Wiltshire Police to understand the drivers behind these figures, support effective crime prevention, and ensure resources are focused where they are needed most. 

“Our priority remains keeping communities safe, supporting victims, and making sure offenders are brought to justice. Accurate crime data is essential to that mission, and while no rise in crime should be ignored, these figures show a system that is increasingly open, accountable and focused on protecting the public.” 

Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “This consistent pattern across all offence types can be attributed to, in part, to improvements in how crime is identified, recorded and reported, rather than representing a single underlying spike in offending.  

“As a force we continue to work closely with our communities and partner agencies, including the OPCC, to robustly tackle criminality and address the underlying factors, in order to keep Wiltshire safe.” 

These crime figures follow Wiltshire Police’s most recent PEEL inspection, which identified areas for improvement, including safeguarding, while also emphasising the need for consistent crime recording and strong victim focused practice.  

Improvements in how crimes are identified, recorded and followed through are a key part of building public confidence and ensuring victims feel able to come forward.  

Mr Wilkinson added: “Last week’s PEEL findings and today’s crime statistics should be seen together. When victims have confidence to report crime, and when officers are recording offences correctly and consistently, we will often see recorded crime rise.  

“While that does not remove the need to tackle offending head on, it does show policing becoming more open, more victim focused and more accountable. My role is to ensure that the learning from the PEEL inspection directly feeds into improved standards, stronger performance and better outcomes for communities across Wiltshire.” 

You can read the full ONS report here.