Buckingham Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Buckingham's crime rate in October 2024 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.6% below the UK average of 8.1. This marked contrast with national trends highlights the area's relatively low levels of criminal activity. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.8% of all reported incidents—25% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This lower rate may be attributed to Buckingham's character as a built-up area within Buckinghamshire, where community cohesion and policing presence could contribute to reduced violent crime. Public order offences, however, were 25% above the UK average, linked to October's seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween-related activity. Other notable crime types included public order (12% of total) and other theft (10.9%), both of which showed mixed comparisons to national averages. The seasonal context of October—marked by the clocks going back and the approach of winter—may influence patterns of outdoor activity and visibility. The overall crime profile suggests a balance between local characteristics and broader national trends, with violence and sexual offences remaining a significant but manageable concern for residents.

Vehicle crime in Buckingham saw an 800% increase in October 2024, rising from one incident to nine. This sharp rise, though unexplained by available data, contrasts with a 50% drop in drug-related offences, which fell from two to one. The crime mix also shifted: violence and sexual offences, the most common category (34.8% of total crimes), remained 25% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. Meanwhile, public order offences—accounting for 12% of total crimes—were 25% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local factors such as Halloween activity or seasonal changes in public behaviour. Residents may find the 800% jump in vehicle crime particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a sudden and significant increase in a category typically linked to parking areas or transport hubs. The absence of a similar surge in other theft categories, such as shoplifting (which remained 44% below the UK average), further highlights this anomaly.

Buckingham's crime rate in October 2024 rose 24.3% compared to September's 4.6 per 1,000, reaching 5.7 per 1,000. This increase, while significant, remains 29.6% below the UK average of 8.1. Locally, this translates to approximately three crimes reported daily—equivalent to one crime for every 175 residents over the course of the month. The population-scaled perspective highlights that residents face a lower risk of victimisation than the national average, though the rise from September suggests shifting dynamics. The monthly exposure figure, while modest, underscores that crime remains a low-frequency concern for most residents. However, the upward trend from the previous month warrants attention, particularly in light of October's seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween-related activity. The local context of a built-up area within Buckinghamshire, where community engagement and policing strategies may influence crime patterns, could contribute to this fluctuation.