COUNCILLORS fear tourists may shun the Cotswolds after incidents of pickpocketing increased by more than 500 per cent.

The Cotswolds has had one of the highest increases in cases of "theft from person" in the UK over the last four years according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

The data, which has been analysed by Get Licensed, showed that there were just seven incidents of the crime in 2021, however in 2024 this number had soared to 44. 

This is an increase of 528% in four years. 

Theft from a person consists of a number of different crimes including pickpocketing.

Whilst still relatively low numbers, councillors were shocked upon hearing the figure and are worried that tourists might think twice about visiting the area. 

Jon Wareing, Cotswold District Council councillor for Bourton said: "I'm shocked and speechless that incidents have risen so highly. 

"It's not something that I have heard much about. 

"At parish council meetings local police give a report and to my recollection, it's not something that pops up. 

"I would like to know why it has increased and obviously it's very unpleasant isn't it. 

"If it's something that continues to rise then that would be worrying as it could give a negative perception of the Cotswolds."

Get Licensed did not specify where in the Cotswolds the incidents had taken place, however the area had the second highest increase behind Westminster which had increased by 712%.

Tom Stowe, Cotswold District Council councillor for Chipping Campden, said: "It is surprising because it's not something you generally associate with the Cotswolds 

"It's interesting because whilst the numbers are still relatively low there has been a noticeable increase which is worrying because it might make people think twice about visiting the Cotswolds. 

"I think we need to find out the root cause of the problem, I'm not sure whether it's gangs or what but we need to see what police can do to tackle this in the future."

Shahzad Ali, CEO at Get Licensed said there was over 100,000 incidents of pickpocketing in the UK in 2023 and recommended using a zip-up bag across your body and avoiding using your mobile phone is busy places.

A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson said: "Theft from the person, of which pickpocketing forms a small part, is a relatively low-volume offence, typically for less than three percent of all police recorded crime in England and Wales each year.

"These thefts are usually concentrated in a few predominantly urban areas and the Cotswolds remains a safe place to live and work.

"Following a review by HMICFRS in 2022, Gloucestershire Constabulary now has greater recording accuracy; subsequently the new crime recording model went live in September 2022, resulting in more crimes being logged, which would account for the higher figure.

"It is also worth noting that 2021 was in the midst of the Covid pandemic, so figures will be lower due to lockdowns."