Wilstead Crime Rate

Wilstead is a highly regarded village in Bedfordshire, known for its tranquil atmosphere and strong community feel. For the period of December 2024 to November 2025, Wilstead maintained an impressive safety score of 91/100, significantly outperforming the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate stands at a low 32.8 per 1,000 people, which is less than half the national average of 91.7. However, it is important to note that crime has seen an 11.8% increase year-over-year. While the total number of incidents remains small, this upward trend suggests a need for continued community vigilance. This analysis explores the village's crime patterns to help residents maintain their high standard of safety.

In the small settlement of Wilstead, the crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which make up 48.2% of all reports at a rate of 15.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category (15.3%), followed by vehicle crime (11.8%). Given the small population, even a few incidents can significantly influence these percentages.

Property crime in Wilstead is notably low, with an overall rate of 8.1 per 1,000 people. This includes vehicle crime, burglary (3.5%), and criminal damage and arson (4.7%). While the total volume of these offences is small, the prominence of vehicle crime—especially during the night—suggests that car security is a specific area of concern for the local community. For homeowners, the low burglary rate is encouraging, but the recent upward trend in overall crime suggests that maintaining basic security awareness remains important.

The crime trend in Wilstead is currently increasing, with an 11.8% rise year-over-year. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated significantly, which is common in areas with small populations. The rate peaked in December 2024 at 4.6 per 1,000, followed by a low of 1.2 in February and May 2025.

Throughout the summer and autumn, the rate remained relatively low, hovering between 1.9 and 3.9 per 1,000. While the percentage increase sounds high, it represents a small number of actual incidents. Nevertheless, the trend suggests that the village is experiencing more activity than in previous years, emphasizing the importance of community-led safety initiatives to ensure Wilstead remains one of the safest places in Bedfordshire.

How To Keep Safe in Wilstead

The most common crime type in Wilstead is violence and sexual offences, which in a village setting often involves private or domestic-related incidents. However, for general public safety and property protection, residents should consider these tips:

1. Given that vehicle crime is the most frequent property offence, always ensure your car is locked and parked in a well-lit area or garage.
2. Be a good neighbour and participate in local community groups or social media pages where suspicious activity can be reported and shared quickly.
3. Ensure that your home's exterior is well-lit at night, particularly around driveways and side entrances, to deter opportunistic thieves.
4. Although burglary rates are low, always secure windows and doors when leaving the house, even for short periods.
5. If you notice unfamiliar vehicles or individuals acting suspiciously in the village, report them to the non-emergency police line to help maintain the area's low crime rate.

Crime in Wilstead follows a distinct pattern related to the village's quiet nature. The morning and afternoon periods see a mix of anti-social behaviour and occasional burglary, with burglary peaking at 34% during the afternoon hours. However, the most significant shift occurs at night (12am-6am), where 70% of all reported crimes are vehicle-related. This suggests that while the village is very safe during the day, vehicles parked on streets or driveways become the primary target for opportunistic thieves under the cover of darkness. Evening hours also see a notable amount of vehicle crime (45%). Residents should be particularly mindful of car security from dusk until dawn.

In the context of the surrounding Bedfordshire countryside, Wilstead is one of the safest settlements. When compared to nearby Wixams (65.4 per 1,000) and Cotton End (60.6), Wilstead's crime rate is significantly lower. It also compares favourably to Houghton Conquest (51.8). Only Kempston Hardwick, which reports no crime in this dataset, shows a lower rate. For those seeking a quiet residential area near Bedford, Wilstead offers a superior safety profile compared to many of its immediate neighbours, making it a highly desirable location for those prioritising a low-crime environment.

Despite Wilstead's high safety score, the 11.8% increase in crime and the prevalence of vehicle-related offences suggest that proactive security is a wise investment. In a quiet village, an unusual vehicle or person stands out, but traditional security cameras often only capture footage after a crime has been committed.

scOS offers a more intelligent approach by using AI-powered proactive detection. For Wilstead residents, where vehicle crime accounts for 70% of night-time incidents, scOS can identify someone approaching a driveway and take immediate action. By activating lights or verifying number plates, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area where property crime is low but increasing, a system that prevents incidents before they happen ensures that Wilstead remains the safe, peaceful haven its residents value. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the best way to safeguard your home and vehicles.