Wootton (Bedford) Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

April 2024 in Wootton (Bedford) presented a crime picture characterised by low overall rates and a distinct seasonal influence. The area’s total crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 residents—67.5% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000—underscores its position as one of the safest built-up areas in the country. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 37.5% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.8%) and public order offences (16.7%). These figures align with the area’s character as a small, densely populated suburb within Bedford, where community policing and limited commercial activity may contribute to lower levels of serious crime. The seasonal context of April—marked by Easter celebrations, spring weather, and increased outdoor activity—likely influenced the distribution of offences, with public order incidents and criminal damage rising in line with higher foot traffic. Violent crime remains significantly below the UK average, with Wootton’s rate of 1.0 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences reflecting a 61% gap compared to the national figure of 2.6 per 1,000. This consistency with historical trends suggests that the area’s low-crime environment is resilient to seasonal fluctuations. month-on-month increase in overall crime rates indicates a need for continued monitoring. The breakdown also highlights the limited occurrence of property crimes, which accounted for just 25% of all incidents, further reinforcing the area’s focus on non-property-related offences. As a built-up area within Bedford, Wootton’s proximity to the city centre may contribute to higher levels of anti-social behaviour and public order issues, while its smaller population size and community-oriented infrastructure likely play a role in suppressing more severe crimes.

April 2024 marked a sharp rise in criminal damage and arson, which surged by 200% from one to three incidents. This increase, though still minimal in absolute terms, may partly reflect seasonal factors such as Easter-related gatherings or increased outdoor activity. Public order offences also doubled to four cases, a trend that could be linked to the influx of visitors or heightened social interactions during the holiday period. Meanwhile, theft from the person rose from zero to one incident, a 100% increase that, while statistically significant, remains an isolated event. Conversely, anti-social behaviour decreased by 16.7%, and violence and sexual offences fell by 10%, suggesting some stabilisation in more serious crime categories. Wootton’s violent crime rate—1.0 per 1,000—remains 61% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a gap that highlights the area’s continued safety relative to national trends.

April 2024 saw a 14.4% increase in Wootton’s crime rate compared to March, rising from 2.2 to 2.5 per 1,000 residents. This upward shift, though modest, reflects a broader seasonal pattern consistent with the Easter holiday period, when increased foot traffic and community events may temporarily elevate certain offences. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the month, a figure that, while low, underscores the proximity of local activity to reported incidents. When viewed through a population lens, the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-394 residents highlights the relatively sparse distribution of crime within a built-up area of 9,465 people. This suggests that while crime remains infrequent, residents may still encounter incidents during peak times or in specific locations. The comparison to the UK average—where Wootton’s rate is 67.5% below the national figure—remains stark, reinforcing the area’s status as a consistently low-crime neighbourhood despite the slight month-on-month rise.