Wootton (Bedford) Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour remains the most prevalent crime category in Wootton (Bedford) during August 2023, accounting for 33.3% of all reported incidents. This category, which includes noise disturbances, harassment, and public disorder, is the largest single contributor to the area’s overall crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents—53.1% below the UK average. The dominance of anti-social behaviour may reflect local dynamics such as increased social activity during the summer months. Violence and sexual offences follow as the second most common category, making up 27.8% of total crimes, yet these rates are 58% below the UK average. This stark contrast with national trends suggests that Wootton’s built-up area within Bedford may have unique characteristics that suppress more severe crimes, such as a strong community presence or effective local policing. Other crime, which includes unclassified incidents, contributes 13.9% of the total but is 285% above the UK average, highlighting a potential gap in categorisation or reporting practices. Seasonal factors may also play a role, as August is typically a peak holiday month, with tourism and seasonal absences influencing patterns of anti-social behaviour and property crime. However, the overall low crime rate indicates that the area remains relatively safe compared to the UK as a whole.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 200% increase in anti-social behaviour incidents, rising from four to 12 cases. This surge coincides with the peak of the summer holiday season, a period often associated with increased social gatherings and transient populations in areas like Wootton (Bedford). Concurrently, vehicle crime and other theft both doubled compared to July, suggesting a possible link to seasonal changes in vehicle usage or unsecured property. The decrease in violence and sexual offences by 16.7%—from 12 to 10 cases—marks a notable positive trend. Other crime is 285% above the UK average, which may indicate either a higher incidence of unclassified incidents or a disparity in reporting standards. These shifts in crime patterns underscore the need for continued monitoring of local factors, such as community events or changes in policing strategies, that could influence these trends. For residents, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour is a specific data point worth noting, as it may impact perceptions of safety during the summer months.

The crime rate in Wootton (Bedford) for August 2023 (3.8 per 1,000 residents) represents an 89.1% increase compared to July’s rate of 2.0 per 1,000. While this rise is significant, the area still maintains a crime rate 53.1% below the UK average, reflecting a consistently lower level of criminal activity. On a daily basis, approximately one crime was reported per day in August, a figure that, while seemingly low, may be influenced by the area’s small population of 9,465 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 263 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Wootton well within the safer end of the UK spectrum. The population-scaled perspective further illustrates that even with the 89.1% increase, the absolute number of crimes (36) remains relatively modest in the context of the area’s size. This suggests that while local factors may have contributed to the upward trend, the overall crime environment in Wootton (Bedford) remains markedly different from the UK average. Such comparisons highlight the importance of contextualising crime statistics within both local and national frameworks to avoid overestimating or underestimating the significance of month-on-month changes.