Clapham (Bedford) Crime Rate

Clapham, a settlement near Bedford, enjoys a high safety score of 89/100 and an overall crime rate of 49.0 per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK national average of 91.6, marking the area as a safe and desirable place to live. Recent data from January to December 2025 shows an increasing trend, with crime rising by 24.2% year-over-year. While any increase is noteworthy, the baseline remains relatively low, reflecting Clapham's status as a quiet residential community. While criminal damage and violence represent the largest percentages of the total, property crime is less frequent, offering residents a good degree of peace of mind.

Crime in Clapham (Bedford)

Criminal damage and arson, along with violence and sexual offences, are the most frequently reported crimes in Clapham, each accounting for 32.6% of all local incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the next most common type at 12.7%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences, occurs at a rate of 22.8 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime accounts for 6.8% of the total, with 15 incidents recorded. Burglary is relatively low, making up 3.2% of total crime with 7 incidents over the year. For residents of Clapham, the high percentage of criminal damage and violent offences is notable, suggesting that both personal and property safety are important considerations in the local profile.

Crime Trends in Clapham (Bedford)

The crime rate in Clapham has shown an increasing trend, with a 24.2% rise in total offences over the last year. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated throughout the year, starting at 3.1 in January, reaching a peak of 13.1 in July, and ending the year at 3.1 in December. This peak in mid-summer is a notable trend. While the overall increase is something for the community to be aware of, the return to lower levels at the end of the year is a positive sign. Continued community vigilance and effective local policing will be key to managing and reversing this upward trend in the future. For residents, it indicates that while Clapham remains safe, a more proactive approach to security is advisable.

How To Keep Safe in Clapham (Bedford)

Criminal damage and arson, and violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Clapham, each accounting for 32.6% of all reports. To stay safe, residents should maintain general awareness and look out for one another within the community. Anti-social behaviour is also a notable factor at 12.7%, so ensuring that property boundaries are well-maintained and clearly marked can help deter trespassing and vandalism. For homeowners, vehicle crime is a steady concern; always ensure cars are locked and avoid leaving any valuables inside. Maintaining good perimeter security and using motion-activated lighting can significantly reduce the risk of opportunistic property crime. Joining a local neighbourhood watch or community social media group can also help residents stay informed and contribute to the area's overall safety.

Crime in Clapham follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 14% and 17% of incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity in residential areas is a window for opportunistic larceny. As the evening sets in, the profile shifts significantly toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 80% of evening activity. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly important for vehicle security, as vehicle crime surges to 29% of all recorded incidents during these hours. This indicates that while the community is generally quiet at night, cars parked on driveways are the most vulnerable to opportunistic crime during the late-night hours.

In the local context, Clapham's crime rate of 49.0 per 1,000 residents is higher than nearby Oakley (21.0) and Bromham (25.6). However, it is significantly safer than the main Bedford urban settlement (120.2). While it shows a higher rate than the 0.0 reported for Milton Ernest and Stevington in this dataset, it remains a relatively low-risk area. For those seeking a quiet residential lifestyle with easy access to Bedford, Clapham provides a secure and stable environment that is safer than the broader UK average, despite the recent upward trend in activity.

Clapham has a property crime rate of 22.8 per 1,000, and with vehicle crime accounting for 29% of night-time activity, property owners should focus on driveway and perimeter security. Traditional reactive systems often fail to stop a crime in progress, merely providing footage of the event. scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI to monitor property boundaries in real-time. For Clapham residents, scOS's ability to monitor vehicles and use DVLA verification to spot suspicious plates is a major advantage. By autonomously triggering lights or audio deterrents when a threat is detected, scOS prevents crime before it happens. This proactive approach turns your home into a hard target, which is the most effective way to maintain the area's high safety standards and protect your personal assets.