Rural Bedford Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 15,339 residents, Rural Bedford recorded 76 crimes in March 2024, equating to a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 people. This figure is 35.1% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, placing the area well within the safer end of the national spectrum. The crime profile shows a clear dominance of violent and sexual offences (23 incidents, 30.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (12 incidents, 15.8%) and other theft (11 incidents, 14.5%). These patterns may reflect the built-up nature of the area within Bedford, where community interactions and local services create environments conducive to such incidents. Seasonal factors also appear relevant, as the transition to spring—marked by longer evenings and clock changes—may influence both public order and violent crime trends. The data shows that violence and sexual offences in the area are 44% below the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 31% below, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. However, 'other theft' in Rural Bedford exceeds the UK average by 27%, indicating a specific vulnerability that requires targeted attention. The relatively low crime rate, despite the built-up characteristics of the area, may be attributed to the rural context, which typically sees lower population densities and fewer opportunities for certain types of crime compared to major urban centres.

March 2024 saw a significant 150% increase in public order offences, rising from 2 to 5 incidents. This jump aligns with the transition to spring, as lengthening evenings may have altered community dynamics in the built-up area. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 50%, dropping from 4 to 2 reports, a decline that could reflect seasonal patterns or changes in parking behaviours during the month. Other notable shifts include a 100% increase in 'other crime' reports, suggesting new or underreported incidents that may relate to the area's specific challenges. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour decreased by 20%, from 15 to 12 incidents, linked to targeted local initiatives or seasonal factors. The breakdown also shows that 'other theft' in Rural Bedford exceeds the UK average by 27%, indicating a localised issue that warrants further contextual analysis.

Rural Bedford's crime rate rose by 22.5% in March 2024, increasing from 4.0 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This shift reflects a broader trend in the built-up area's monthly statistics, though the overall rate remains lower than the UK average. Daily crime context reveals a local figure of approximately 2 crimes reported each day in March, a manageable frequency for a community of 15,339 residents. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 202 residents over the course of the month. This ratio highlights the relatively low incidence of crime in the area compared to national benchmarks, despite the 22.5% month-on-month increase. The population-scaled perspective underscores that even with the rise in reported incidents, the likelihood of any individual encountering crime remains comparatively low, aligning with the area's character as a rural built-up zone with limited high-density urban features.