Bedford Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In Bedford, the crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents in December 2024 translates to a 1-in-137 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. This rate is 2.8% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a marginal but notable difference that reflects localised factors. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.1% and vehicle crime at 9.6%. These figures align with seasonal patterns, as December's Christmas shopping peak, party season, and extended dark evenings may have contributed to higher rates of property and violent crimes. The prominence of violence and sexual offences could also be influenced by Bedford's urban character, where higher population density and social interactions in public spaces may increase the likelihood of such incidents. Meanwhile, the elevated rate of vehicle crime—75% above the UK average—suggests that local infrastructure, such as parking areas or traffic patterns, may play a role. However, the decrease in shoplifting by 34.8% compared to November, despite the holiday season, indicates that targeted interventions or increased retail security may have had a measurable impact. The overall crime profile for Bedford in December 2024 illustrates a combination of seasonal factors, local demographics, and specific environmental conditions that shape the area's crime profile.

December 2024 saw a notable 25.9% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 108 to 136 incidents. This surge, which places vehicle crime 75% above the UK average, may partly reflect the impact of seasonal factors such as increased car usage during the holiday period and potential vulnerabilities in parking areas. Conversely, shoplifting incidents fell by 34.8%, declining from 204 to 133. This decrease, despite the Christmas shopping peak, could indicate effective policing or retail security measures. Anti-social behaviour also rose by 20.8%, with 186 incidents reported, marking a 6% increase above the UK average. This trend may be linked to the festive season's social dynamics, including increased alcohol consumption and public gatherings. Meanwhile, possession of weapons dropped by 37.5%, from 8 to 5 incidents, suggesting a possible reduction in related activities during the month.

Bedford's December 2024 crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 6.0% increase from the previous month's 6.9 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 46 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents even when scaled to a 31-day month. When considering the population of 194,976, this translates to a 1-in-137 chance of a resident being involved in a reported crime over the course of the month. This rate is marginally higher than the UK average, but the disparity is relatively narrow. The population context reveals that while Bedford's crime rate is slightly elevated, the absolute number of crimes per capita remains within a range typical for similar-sized urban areas. The localised nature of certain crime types—such as vehicle crime, which is 75% above the UK average—suggests that specific neighbourhoods or infrastructure may contribute to these figures, though further analysis would be required to confirm this hypothesis.