Buckingham Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

July 2023 marked a significant shift in Buckingham's crime profile, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly half of all reported crimes. The overall crime rate of 7.3 per 1,000 residents places the area 12.0% below the UK average, reflecting a generally lower level of criminal activity compared to the national trend. Violence and sexual offences (55 incidents) dominated the crime profile, followed by other theft (13) and anti-social behaviour (10). This pattern aligns with the area's character as a built-up district within Buckinghamshire, where tourism and summer festivals likely contribute to heightened social interactions. The seasonal context of July—characterised by school holidays, outdoor events, and increased foot traffic—may partly explain the prominence of violent crime. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, saw a 28.6% decline from June, suggesting that community-focused initiatives or seasonal changes in public activity could have influenced this trend. Property crime, including shoplifting and vehicle theft, remained relatively subdued compared to violent crime, consistent with the area's mixed residential and commercial land use. The data illustrates a combination of local demographics, seasonal factors, and policing efforts, though further analysis would be required to establish definitive causal links.

The most dramatic month-on-month swing in July 2023 was the 103.7% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 27 to 55 incidents. This surge, which places the category 22% above the UK average, may be linked to the summer festival season and increased visitor numbers in the area. Concurrently, drug-related offences saw a 300% jump, with incidents rising from 1 to 4, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 36%. This sharp rise could reflect heightened drug activity during warmer months or changes in policing priorities. Theft from the person also doubled, with a 200% increase from 1 to 3 incidents, tied to the higher concentration of tourists and pedestrians in public spaces. In contrast, public order offences fell by 72.7% (from 11 to 3), and anti-social behaviour dropped by 28.6% (from 14 to 10), suggesting that local initiatives or seasonal lulls in certain activities may have contributed to these declines. Vehicle crime, meanwhile, decreased by 20% (from 5 to 4), though it remains below the UK average by 38%. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in Buckingham, where external factors such as tourism and weather can significantly influence reported incidents.

Buckingham's crime rate in July 2023 (7.3 per 1,000 residents) marked a 34.6% increase compared to June's rate of 5.4 per 1,000, reflecting a notable upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 crimes per day, a figure that residents may find relevant when assessing local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 137 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average but highlights the importance of community vigilance. The population context further underscores the significance of these figures: with 16,080 residents, Buckingham's crime statistics are scaled to a relatively small built-up area, where concentrated policing efforts and community engagement may play a role in mitigating crime. While the area's overall rate remains 12.0% below the UK average, the sharp rise in violent crime and drug-related offences in July suggests that local conditions—such as increased tourism or seasonal events—may have temporarily elevated certain categories. This comparison provides a nuanced perspective, showing that while Buckingham is generally safer than the national average, specific factors can drive short-term fluctuations in crime patterns.