Great Barford Crime Rate

Great Barford currently holds a safety score of 88/100, indicating it is a very safe urban settlement compared to the wider UK. The overall crime rate is 47.3 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. However, data from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 shows an increasing trend, with total crime rising by 19.1% year-over-year. While the area remains secure, this upward trajectory suggests that residents should remain vigilant. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types, trends, and time-based patterns to help the community understand the evolving safety landscape of Great Barford.

Crime Breakdown in Great Barford

The criminal landscape in Great Barford is primarily characterised by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.9% of all reported incidents, with 37 crimes recorded annually. This is followed by anti-social behaviour (13.2%) and vehicle crime (12.3%). While the overall crime rate of 47.3 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the national average, the concentration of violent offences remains the primary concern for the local community.

Property crime in Great Barford, which includes burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, sits at a rate of 17.0 per 1,000 people. Vehicle crime is the most prominent threat within this category, representing 12.3% of all crime. Burglary follows at 9.4%, with 10 incidents reported. For residents, this indicates that while the area is statistically very safe, maintaining high standards of domestic and vehicle security is essential to mitigate the risk of opportunistic theft and property damage.

Crime Trends in Great Barford

The crime rate in Great Barford has shown a notable increase of 19.1% over the last 12 months. This upward trend is reflected in the monthly data for 2025, which started at a low of 2.2 crimes per 1,000 people in January and climbed significantly during the summer months. July and September both recorded rates of 5.4, but the most significant spike occurred in August 2025, when the rate reached 7.6 per 1,000 residents.

The latter half of the year saw a return to lower levels in October (2.2) before rising again in November (4.0). While these fluctuations are common in smaller populations where a few incidents can significantly impact the rate, the overall annual increase suggests that the area is experiencing a period of heightened criminal activity. For residents, this trend underscores the importance of maintaining consistent security habits throughout the year, rather than just reacting to seasonal spikes. Monitoring these monthly patterns can help the community stay proactive in their approach to local safety.

How To Keep Safe in Great Barford

The most prevalent crime type in Great Barford is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly 35% of all recorded incidents. While many of these incidents occur in private settings, maintaining personal safety in public is always advisable.

To stay safe in Great Barford, always be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone during evening hours. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas. If you are out for the evening, ensure someone knows your expected return time.

Given that vehicle crime is also a significant local issue, especially at night, ensure your car is always locked and that no valuables are left on display. Using a steering lock can act as an additional visual deterrent. Finally, engaging with local community watch groups can help you stay informed about recent incidents and emerging safety trends in the village, allowing you to adapt your routines as necessary.

Crime Timing in Great Barford

Analysis of crime timing in Great Barford reveals distinct patterns that correlate with the type of offence. Morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high proportion of vehicle crime (39%), suggesting that many residents discover offences that occurred overnight or during early commutes. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), burglary becomes the most significant risk, accounting for 41% of crimes in this window. This likely reflects opportunistic thieves targeting homes while residents are at work or school.

In the evening (6pm-12am), burglary remains high at 31%, but vehicle crime also rises to 35%. The most striking statistic occurs during the night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime accounts for a dominant 59% of all recorded incidents. This suggests that the cover of darkness is being utilised primarily for vehicle-related offences. Understanding these cycles allows residents to prioritise their security measures, such as ensuring vehicles are particularly secure overnight and homes are protected during the traditional working day.

When comparing Great Barford to its immediate surroundings, it is clear that the area is a busier hub than its neighbours. Nearby areas such as Blunham, Workhouse End, Willington (Bedford), and Roxton all recorded a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people. This stark contrast highlights Great Barford's position as a local centre for residential and transit activity. While its rate of 47.3 per 1,000 is low by national standards, it is significantly higher than the virtually crime-free corridors that surround it. This regional context is important for those considering the area, as it shows that while Great Barford is safe, it experiences more activity-related incidents than the very quiet surrounding villages.

With a property crime rate of 17.0 per 1,000 residents in Great Barford, protecting your home requires a shift from reactive to proactive security. Traditional CCTV and doorbell cameras often serve as little more than a recording device for a crime that has already occurred. By the time you receive a notification on your phone, an intruder may already be inside. In Great Barford, where vehicle crime and burglary are the primary property concerns, preventing the incident is far more valuable than having footage of it.

The scOS AI-powered home security system is designed to intervene before a break-in happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect a threat the moment someone steps onto your land. Instead of a passive recording, scOS can trigger autonomous responses like activating security lights or engaging speakers to alert the intruder that they have been spotted. This proactive approach destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on, making your home a far less attractive target and providing genuine peace of mind.