Wootton (Bedford) Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Wootton (Bedford), 2 crimes were reported in January 2024—a rate 73% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights the area’s relatively low exposure to crime, though the distribution of incidents offers insights into local patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 31.6% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.1%) and criminal damage and arson (21.1%). These figures, while significantly below UK averages for their respective categories, suggest that interpersonal conflicts and property-related issues remain the most pressing concerns. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days—may contribute to the lower overall crime rate, as outdoor activities and commercial interactions typically drive certain types of offences. However, the presence of anti-social behaviour and property crimes indicates that community engagement and environmental factors continue to shape the area’s safety profile. Residents may find the low rate reassuring, but the specific nature of incidents underscores the importance of local awareness and targeted prevention efforts. The data also illustrates the broader challenge of maintaining safety in a built-up area with a relatively small population, where crime trends can be influenced by both geographic and demographic characteristics.

January 2024 marked a sharp increase in anti-social behaviour, which rose by 300% from one incident to four. This surge, though still below the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000, highlights a sudden shift in local dynamics that may reflect post-holiday tensions or changes in community activity. Meanwhile, burglary and vehicle crime both doubled from zero to two incidents, a significant jump that could signal targeted activity or increased vulnerability in specific areas. Conversely, public order offences fell by 85.7%, from seven to one, a decline consistent with the reduced foot traffic typical of January. Violence and sexual offences also dropped by 62.5%, from 16 to six, a reduction that may reflect seasonal patterns or the impact of colder weather on outdoor gatherings. These fluctuations underscore the need for residents to remain alert, even as the area’s overall crime rate remains well below national levels.

Wootton (Bedford) saw a 40.5% drop in its crime rate from 3.4 to 2.0 per 1,000 residents between December 2023 and January 2024. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period marked by shorter days and reduced retail activity, which may partly explain the lower frequency of outdoor crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day in January, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but remains a tangible reminder of local risk. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 498 residents, illustrating the relatively sparse nature of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the population, this suggests that the likelihood of encountering crime is significantly lower than the UK average, though residents should remain vigilant given the variability in crime types. The population context further underscores that Wootton’s crime profile is distinct from larger urban centres, where higher density and foot traffic often correlate with increased reporting rates.