Wilstead Crime Rate

Wilstead, a village near Bedford, is one of the safest settlements in the region, boasting an impressive safety score of 92/100 and an overall crime rate of 29.7 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6, making it a highly secure place to live. Recent data from January to December 2025 shows a decreasing trend, with crime falling by 7.2% year-over-year. This reduction from an already low baseline highlights Wilstead'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 Wilstead

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Wilstead, representing 44.2% of all recorded incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.2% and vehicle crime at 11.7%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle offences, occurs at an exceptionally low rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime accounts for 11.7% of the total, with 9 incidents recorded. Burglary is very rare, making up only 3.9% of total crime with just 3 incidents over the year. For residents of Wilstead, 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 Wilstead

The crime rate in Wilstead has shown a decreasing trend, falling by 7.2% 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 2.7 in January, reached a slight peak of 4.3 in March, and ended the year at 1.6 in December. This stability, combined with the overall reduction in crime, is a very positive sign for the community. In a small village like Wilstead, 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 Wilstead

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Wilstead, 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. Given that vehicle crime is the most significant night-time concern, it is essential to ensure that cars are locked and parked in well-lit areas or secure garages. 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 Wilstead's strong downward trend in crime continues and the community remains a safe haven.

Crime in Wilstead follows distinct temporal patterns, although the overall volume is low. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the primary concern, representing 11% and 17% of activity respectively. This indicates that daytime is a window for opportunistic larceny. As the evening arrives, the focus shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order. However, the night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a dramatic shift, with vehicle crime surging to 74% of all recorded incidents. This suggests that while the village is very quiet overnight, vehicles left on driveways or lanes are the main targets for criminal activity during these hours. Ensuring car security is vital during the late-night and early-morning hours.

In the local context, Wilstead's crime rate of 29.7 per 1,000 residents compares very favourably to its neighbours. It is significantly safer than Wixams (65.2), Cotton End (58.5), and Houghton Conquest (53.0). While it shows a higher rate than the 0.0 reported for Kempston Hardwick in this dataset, it remains a very low-risk area. For those seeking a quiet residential lifestyle with easy access to Bedford, Wilstead 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.

Wilstead enjoys an exceptionally low property crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000, but the fact that vehicle crime accounts for 74% of night-time activity suggests that car security is the primary concern for residents. 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 Wilstead 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.