Oakley (Bedford) Crime Rate

Oakley, a village near Bedford, is one of the safest settlements in the region, boasting an impressive safety score of 94/100 and an overall crime rate of 21.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6, making it an exceptionally secure place to live. Recent data from January to December 2025 shows a strong decreasing trend, with crime falling by 21.2% year-over-year. This reduction from an already very low baseline highlights Oakley's status as a peaceful and desirable community. While violence and anti-social behaviour represent the largest percentages of the small total, property crime is exceptionally rare, offering residents a high degree of peace of mind.

Crime in Oakley (Bedford)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Oakley, representing 55.8% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 15.4% and anti-social behaviour at 13.5%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences, occurs at an exceptionally low rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime accounts for 5.8% of the total, with 3 incidents recorded. Burglary is very rare, making up only 3.9% of total crime with just 2 incidents over the year. For residents of Oakley, the primary focus is on maintaining the village's peaceful atmosphere, as property-related crimes are significantly less frequent here than in many other parts of the region.

Crime Trends in Oakley (Bedford)

The crime rate in Oakley has shown a significant decreasing trend, falling by 21.2% over the last twelve months. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the rate per 1,000 residents remained very low and stable for most of the year. It started at a very low 0.4 in January, reached a slight peak of 4.0 in July, and ended the year at 3.2 in December. This stability, combined with the overall reduction in crime, is a very positive sign for the community. In a small village like Oakley, even a handful of crimes can impact the statistics, so the sustained low figures throughout the year indicate a very secure environment and effective local community vigilance. For residents, this means the area is becoming even safer.

How To Keep Safe in Oakley (Bedford)

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Oakley, though the actual number of incidents is very low. To stay safe, residents should maintain general awareness and look out for one another within the community. Criminal damage is also a notable factor at 15.4%, so ensuring that property boundaries are well-maintained and clearly marked can help deter trespassing and vandalism. For homeowners, the low burglary rate can be maintained by using simple deterrents like motion-activated lighting and ensuring that all outbuildings are securely fastened. Joining a local neighbourhood watch or village social media group can also help residents stay informed about any suspicious activity, ensuring that Oakley's strong downward trend in crime continues and the community remains a safe haven.

Crime in Oakley follows distinct temporal patterns, although the overall volume is low. During the morning and afternoon, theft is less of a concern than in other areas, with the focus remaining on 'other' crimes. However, the night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a shift, with vehicle crime accounting for 29% of recorded incidents and burglary at 19%. This suggests that while the village is very quiet overnight, vehicles and homes are the primary targets for opportunistic crime during the late-night hours. Ensuring car and home security is vital during the late-night and early-morning hours. Daytime burglary also shows a peak in the afternoon (28%), suggesting that empty homes are a target during the day.

In the local context, Oakley's crime rate of 21.0 per 1,000 residents compares very favourably to its neighbours. It is significantly safer than Clapham (49.0) and slightly lower than Bromham (25.6). While it shows a higher rate than the 0.0 reported for Stevington and Pavenham in this dataset, it remains a very low-risk area. For those seeking a quiet residential lifestyle with easy access to Bedford, Oakley provides an exceptionally secure and stable environment that is far safer than the broader UK average, benefiting from a significant and ongoing reduction in criminal activity.

Oakley enjoys an exceptionally low property crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000, but the fact that vehicle crime and burglary still occur at night suggests that property security remains a sensible precaution. Traditional security systems often only record footage, which is a reactive measure. scOS offers a proactive approach by using AI to monitor property boundaries and driveways. For Oakley residents, scOS can detect an intruder or an unknown vehicle before they even touch your car or home. By autonomously triggering lights or audio warnings, scOS destroys the element of surprise, encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on. This level of professional-grade protection is ideal for maintaining the high safety standards of the village and ensuring that your property remains a hard target.