Wootton (Bedford) Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a community of nearly 9,500 residents, Wootton (Bedford) recorded 14 crimes in February 2024, translating to a crime rate of 1.5 per 1,000 people—78.9% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This stark contrast with national figures positions Wootton as an area with exceptionally low crime exposure, though the nature of incidents remains focused on interpersonal and property-related issues. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 50% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.3%) and criminal damage and arson (14.3%). These patterns align with the area’s character as a built-up suburb within Bedford, where residential density and local community dynamics may influence crime trends. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with reduced outdoor activity—likely contributes to the lower overall rate, as fewer public interactions and reduced foot traffic in commercial areas may limit opportunities for theft or public order offences. However, the persistence of violent crime despite the low volume raises questions about underlying factors, such as domestic disputes or targeted incidents, that may require closer attention. The absence of significant property crime (only 3 incidents) further distinguishes Wootton from broader UK trends, where property-related offences often dominate. This suggests a unique local profile shaped by a combination of geographic factors, community cohesion, and effective local policing strategies. The data also reveals that Wootton’s crime mix is heavily skewed toward violent and anti-social incidents, with property crime remaining minimal. This imbalance could reflect a lack of high-value assets in the area, or alternatively, a greater focus on addressing interpersonal conflicts through community-based initiatives. The low crime rate, while reassuring, also means that any individual incident carries a heightened impact on local residents, necessitating continued vigilance and targeted prevention efforts.

February 2024 marked a notable shift in the crime mix, with violence and sexual offences rising by 16.7% compared to January, though still remaining 72% below the UK average. This increase, from six to seven incidents, highlights a persistent focus on interpersonal crime despite the overall low rate. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson each fell by 50%, reflecting a possible seasonal lull in disruptive activities. Other crime and robbery both saw 100% increases, with one incident each reported for the first time in the month. While robbery remained just 11% above the UK average, this small deviation underscores the need for targeted local awareness. The dominance of violent crime—accounting for 50% of all incidents—suggests a concentration of risk in specific contexts, such as residential areas or local hotspots. These findings, though limited in scope, provide actionable insights for community safety strategies.

February 2024 saw a 26.4% drop in Wootton’s crime rate compared to the previous month, falling from 2.0 to 1.5 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and public gatherings decrease, potentially reducing opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 0 crimes per day in February, a figure that, while low, reflects the sparse nature of reported incidents in this built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 676 residents, underscoring the relatively low frequency of incidents in a community of around 9,500 people. When scaled to the local population, this suggests that the vast majority of residents are unlikely to encounter crime in any given month. However, the population context also highlights the importance of maintaining vigilance, particularly in areas where specific crimes—such as robbery—show slight deviations from UK averages. The low daily crime count does not diminish the significance of individual incidents, which, though infrequent, can still impact local safety perceptions and community cohesion.