Buckingham Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Buckingham's crime profile in August 2024, accounting for 40.7% of all reported crimes. This category alone registered 33 incidents, a rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents — 22% below the UK average for the same category. The area's overall crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents placed it 39% below the national average of 8.2 per 1,000, a significant deviation that reflects broader patterns in the built-up area of Buckingham. Property crimes (33 incidents) and violent crimes (33 incidents) each contributed 40.7% of the total, creating a near-even split between property and violent crime — a balance less common in other UK regions. Seasonal factors likely played a role, as August is a peak holiday month in Buckingham, with increased tourism and temporary occupancy of homes potentially contributing to the slight uptick in crime compared to July. The breakdown of crimes also revealed stark contrasts with UK averages: anti-social behaviour rates were 79% below the national figure, while other theft incidents were 40% above. This suggests that localised factors, such as community engagement or policing strategies, may be influencing specific crime types. The relatively low rate of burglary (1 incident) — 69% below the UK average — could be attributed to the area's compact layout and the presence of private security measures in commercial zones. However, the 100% increase in drugs-related crimes from zero to three incidents raises questions about local enforcement patterns or shifts in criminal activity during the summer months.

August 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends for Buckingham. Drugs-related crimes surged by 100% compared to July, with three incidents reported — a stark increase from zero in the previous month. This rise may partly explain the 5.2% monthly increase in the overall crime rate, though it remains a small proportion of total incidents. Vehicle crime also doubled to four incidents, likely linked to the area's proximity to major transport routes and increased summer travel. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 66.7% as the number of incidents dropped from three to one, possibly due to heightened awareness during the holiday season or effective local policing. Anti-social behaviour incidents decreased by 58.3% (from 12 to 5), a reduction that aligns with the area's generally low levels of such activity. The breakdown of crimes also revealed that other theft (12 incidents) was 40% above the UK average, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in retail or public spaces. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with their rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents 22% below the UK average — a discrepancy that may reflect the area's relatively affluent demographic and strong community cohesion. Residents may find the 40.7% share of violence and sexual offences particularly noteworthy, as this category alone accounted for over a third of all reported crimes.

Buckingham's crime rate in August 2024 (5.0 per 1,000 residents) marked a 5.2% increase from July's 4.8 per 1,000, though it remained well below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that suggests manageable levels of criminal activity for a built-up area. When scaled to the population of 16,080, this equated to one reported crime for every 199 residents over the course of the month — a rate that is lower than many comparable urban centres. The 5.2% monthly increase, while statistically significant, must be contextualised within the broader picture of Buckingham's consistently low crime levels. For residents, the 1-in-199 monthly exposure figure provides a tangible benchmark for understanding risk, though this aggregate measure does not reflect the uneven distribution of specific crime types. The area's population-scaled perspective also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies, as the 39% gap between Buckingham's rate and the UK average persists despite the slight monthly increase. This comparison underscores the importance of maintaining current initiatives while remaining vigilant about emerging trends, such as the 100% rise in drugs-related crimes, which could signal shifts in criminal activity patterns.