Cotton End Crime Rate

Cotton End, a settlement near Bedford, enjoys a high safety score of 86/100 and an overall crime rate of 58.5 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 a stable trend, with crime falling by 2.9% year-over-year. This consistency reflects Cotton End's status as a quiet residential community. While violence and anti-social behaviour represent the largest percentages of the total, property crime is less frequent, offering residents a good degree of peace of mind, though burglary and vehicle security remain relevant considerations.

Crime in Cotton End

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Cotton End, representing 37.5% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.8% and public order offences at 9.6%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences, occurs at a rate of 15.1 per 1,000 residents. Burglary specifically accounts for 7.3% of total crime, with 10 incidents recorded. Vehicle crime accounts for 5.2% of the total, with 7 incidents recorded. For residents of Cotton End, the primary focus is on maintaining the village's safe atmosphere, as property-related crimes are less frequent here than in many other parts of the region, though burglary is a notable factor within the property category.

Crime Trends in Cotton End

The crime rate in Cotton End is stable, with a minor 2.9% decrease 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 4.3 in January, reaching a peak of 9.9 in August, and ending the year at 2.6 in December. This summer peak is a common trend. While there was a slight increase during the summer months, 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 maintaining this stable profile. For residents, it indicates that Cotton End remains a secure and predictable safety environment.

How To Keep Safe in Cotton End

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Cotton End, accounting for 37.5% 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 significant factor at 22.8%, so ensuring that property boundaries are well-maintained and clearly marked can help deter trespassing. For homeowners, burglary is a notable concern within the property category; always ensure all entry points are locked and use visible deterrents like motion-activated lighting. Vehicle crime is also a factor, so ensuring cars are locked and parked in well-lit areas is advised. 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 Cotton End follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 46% and 49% of incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity in residential areas is the peak window for opportunistic larceny. As the evening sets in, the profile shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 32% of evening activity. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly important for home and vehicle security, as vehicle crime surges to 44% and burglary to 28% of all recorded incidents during these hours. This indicates that while the community is generally quiet at night, cars and homes are the most vulnerable to opportunistic crime during the late-night hours.

In the local context, Cotton End's crime rate of 58.5 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than nearby Shortstown (97.8). However, it is higher than Wilstead (29.7) and Haynes (31.5). While it shows a higher rate than the 0.0 reported for Cardington in this dataset, it remains a relatively low-risk area. For those seeking a quiet residential lifestyle with easy access to Bedford, Cotton End provides a secure and stable environment that is safer than the broader UK average, benefiting from a consistent safety profile.

Cotton End has a property crime rate of 15.1 per 1,000, and with burglary and vehicle crime accounting for a combined 72% of night-time activity, property owners should focus on comprehensive 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 Cotton End residents, scOS's ability to monitor both the home and driveway, using DVLA verification to spot suspicious vehicles, 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.