Stewartby Crime Rate

Stewartby, a settlement near Bedford, enjoys a high safety score of 87/100 and an overall crime rate of 60.8 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 an increasing trend, with crime rising by 11.8% year-over-year. While any increase is noteworthy, the baseline remains relatively low, reflecting Stewartby's status as a quiet residential community. While violence and anti-social behaviour represent significant percentages of the total, property crime is less frequent, offering residents a good degree of peace of mind, though vehicle security remains a relevant consideration.

Crime in Stewartby

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Stewartby, representing 26.5% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by shoplifting at 20.6% and anti-social behaviour at 18.2%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences, occurs at a rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is a notable factor, accounting for 11.2% of the total with 19 incidents recorded. Burglary is relatively low, making up only 1.8% of total crime with just 3 incidents over the year. For residents of Stewartby, the high percentage of shoplifting and the volume of vehicle crime suggest that maintaining secure property boundaries and driveway monitoring are important considerations in the local profile.

Crime Trends in Stewartby

The crime rate in Stewartby has shown an increasing trend, with an 11.8% rise 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 7.9 in January, reaching a peak of 6.8 in April, July, and October, and ending the year at 3.6 in December. While the overall increase is something for the community to be aware of, 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 managing and reversing this upward trend in the future. For residents, it indicates that while Stewartby remains safe, a more proactive approach to security is advisable.

How To Keep Safe in Stewartby

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Stewartby, accounting for 26.5% of all reports. To stay safe, residents should maintain general awareness and look out for one another within the community. Shoplifting is also high at 20.6%, so local business owners should invest in robust retail security and staff training. For homeowners, vehicle crime is the most significant property-related concern; always ensure cars are locked and avoid leaving any valuables inside. Maintaining good perimeter security and using motion-activated lighting can significantly reduce the risk of opportunistic property crime. 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 Stewartby follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, accounting for 34% and 46% of incidents respectively. This suggests that daytime activity in commercial and 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 33% of evening activity. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly important for vehicle security, as vehicle crime surges to 71% of all recorded incidents during these hours. This indicates that while the community is generally quiet at night, cars parked on driveways are the most vulnerable to opportunistic crime during the late-night hours.

In the local context, Stewartby's crime rate of 60.8 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than the main Bedford urban settlement (120.2) and Kempston (103.9). However, it is higher than nearby Wootton (28.1). While it shows a higher rate than the 0.0 reported for Kempston Hardwick in this dataset, it remains a relatively low-risk area. For those seeking a quiet residential lifestyle with easy access to Bedford, Stewartby provides a secure and stable environment that is safer than the broader UK average, despite the recent upward trend in activity.

Stewartby has a property crime rate of 27.2 per 1,000, and with vehicle crime accounting for 71% of night-time activity, property owners should focus on driveway and 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 Stewartby residents, scOS's ability to monitor vehicles and use DVLA verification to spot suspicious plates 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.