Wootton (Bedford) Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Anti-social behaviour dominated the crime profile in Wootton (Bedford) during August 2024, accounting for 45.2% of all reported crimes—a stark contrast to the UK average, where anti-social behaviour contributes only 4% of total incidents. The area’s overall crime rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents placed it 59.8% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects Wootton’s relatively low levels of criminal activity despite its status as a built-up area within Bedford. Violence and sexual offences, the second most common category, constituted 32.3% of total crimes, but this figure was 59% below the UK average, highlighting the area’s safer profile in this category. The seasonal context of August—a peak holiday month—may have influenced these patterns, with increased tourism and empty homes potentially contributing to a higher incidence of anti-social behaviour and property-related crimes. However, the absence of a significant rise in burglary or other property crimes suggests that local factors, such as community cohesion or effective policing, may be counteracting broader seasonal trends. The dominance of anti-social behaviour over other categories underscores the need for targeted interventions in public spaces, particularly during periods of heightened activity like August, when the area’s character as a commuter suburb or mixed-use community may be amplifying tensions between residents and transient visitors.

August 2024 marked a stark shift in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour surging by 250% compared to July, rising from four incidents to 14. This increase, which accounted for 45.2% of all reported crimes, highlights a growing challenge in managing community conduct. Simultaneously, bicycle theft saw a 100% increase, doubling from zero to two incidents, a figure that is 122% above the UK average for this category. In contrast, vehicle crime and other theft both declined sharply, with vehicle crime falling by 66.7% (from three to one incident) and other theft decreasing by 50% (from two to one). These diverging trends illustrate a combination of local factors and broader national trends, with anti-social behaviour and bicycle theft emerging as key areas of concern. For residents, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour—now the most common crime category—may signal the need for heightened vigilance in public spaces, particularly during the peak holiday season when tourism and seasonal rhythms may be influencing local dynamics.

Wootton (Bedford) saw a 10.8% increase in its crime rate from 3.0 per 1,000 in July to 3.3 per 1,000 in August 2024. This translates to approximately one reported crime for every 305 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the relatively low level of criminal activity in the area compared to national averages. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day during August, a consistent pattern that suggests stability in local policing and community engagement efforts. The population context further highlights the significance of these numbers: with 9,465 residents, the monthly exposure of 1-in-305 residents is well below the UK average, which typically sees higher rates of reported crime per capita. This combination of low crime rates and a moderate increase from the previous month suggests that while local conditions may be contributing to a slight upward trend, the overall environment remains safer than the national benchmark. The contrast between Wootton’s crime profile and UK-wide statistics reinforces the area’s unique characteristics, likely shaped by its built-up nature within Bedford and the presence of community-focused initiatives that may be mitigating broader national trends.