Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate

Prestwood and Great Missenden are renowned for their high safety standards and peaceful community atmosphere. The combined area maintains an overall crime rate of 43.9 per 1,000 people, which is remarkably low compared to the UK average of 91.7. This is reflected in an impressive safety score of 89/100, placing it well above the national benchmark of 79. The region is also becoming safer over time, with a significant 22.8% decrease in total crime reported in the last year. Based on data from December 2024 to November 2025, Prestwood and Great Missenden remain some of the most secure settlements in Buckinghamshire, particularly regarding property-related offences.

Crime in Prestwood and Great Missenden

The primary crime concerns in Prestwood and Great Missenden are violence and sexual offences, public order, and other theft. Violence and sexual offences are the most common, making up 40.7% of all reports with a rate of 17.9 per 1,000 residents. Public order and other theft each occur at a rate of 3.8 per 1,000.

Property crime in the area—comprising burglary, robbery, theft from the person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft—has a combined rate of 16.6 per 1,000 people. This is nearly half the UK average of 32.3, highlighting the area's relative safety regarding property-related offences. Vehicle crime and shoplifting both occur at 3.5 per 1,000, while burglary is notably low at 1.8 per 1,000. For residents, these statistics show that while property crime is not a dominant issue, maintaining standard security measures for vehicles and homes remains a sensible precaution to preserve the area's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in Prestwood and Great Missenden

Prestwood and Great Missenden have seen a significant improvement in their safety profile, with total crime decreasing by 22.8% over the past year. This substantial reduction is a clear indicator of a positive trend in local security. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, reaching a low of 2.4 in May 2025 and a peak of 6.0 in February 2025.

The spike in February was followed by a general downward trend through the spring and summer months. Although there was a slight increase in November to 4.6, the overall year-on-year trajectory remains strongly downward. This consistent decrease, combined with the area's high safety score of 89/100, suggests that Prestwood and Great Missenden are becoming even safer over time, providing a secure environment for the local community.

How To Keep Safe in Prestwood and Great Missenden

The most common crime type in Prestwood and Great Missenden is violence and sexual offences. While the overall rate is low, it is important to practice good personal safety habits. When walking between the two villages or near the railway station in the evening, try to stay on well-lit main roads and avoid unlit footpaths or wooded areas.

If you are out after dark, consider using a smartphone app to share your live location with a friend or family member. Always trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable in a particular area, move to a busier, well-lit place immediately. For your home, ensure that all entry points are securely locked, even when you are inside. Since the data shows that burglaries peak in the afternoon, it is essential to secure your property before leaving for work or errands. Installing motion-activated lighting around the perimeter of your home can improve personal safety when arriving home at night and also serves as a deterrent for property crime. Finally, keep vehicles locked and avoid leaving any valuables on display, as vehicle crime is the most frequent offence during the night-time hours. By staying alert and taking these simple precautions, you can help maintain the high level of safety in the community.

Criminal activity in Prestwood and Great Missenden follows clear time-based patterns. Theft is the most common offence during the daylight hours, peaking in the morning (42%) and afternoon (48%), which likely correlates with when local commercial areas and schools are most active. Burglary risks are also highest during the afternoon (18%), suggesting that unoccupied homes are the primary targets during the day. In contrast, the night-time period (midnight to 6am) is dominated by vehicle crime, which accounts for a significant 53% of all reported offences during these hours. This indicates that vehicles parked overnight are at their highest risk in the early morning. Evening crime (6pm to midnight) shows a high proportion of 'other' offences (40%), which often include public order and anti-social behaviour. Residents can use these insights to better protect their property, focusing on home security during the day and ensuring vehicles are well-defended overnight.

In the local regional context, Prestwood and Great Missenden sit within a very safe cluster of Buckinghamshire villages. Their crime rate of 43.9 is slightly lower than that of nearby Hughenden Valley (46.5). While smaller, ultra-rural hamlets such as Great Kingshill, Little Kingshill, and South Heath recorded zero crimes during this period, they lack the population and infrastructure of the Prestwood and Great Missenden area. Compared to larger towns in the county, this area offers an exceptional level of safety, making it a highly desirable location for those seeking a secure and quiet residential environment.

With a property crime rate of 16.6 per 1,000, Prestwood and Great Missenden are statistically very safe, yet the impact of any property crime can be significant for homeowners. Traditional security measures like standard CCTV or video doorbells are reactive; they provide footage of an incident only after it has begun. For residents who want to prevent crime altogether, proactive AI security like scOS is a superior alternative. scOS uses advanced AI to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time. It can distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat, such as an unauthorised person entering your driveway at night. When a threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or audible warnings, often deterring an intruder within 60 seconds. In an area where vehicle crime is the primary night-time concern (accounting for 53% of night-time offences), having a system that actively defends your boundary while you sleep is far more effective than simply recording the event. Professional-grade AI security like scOS sends a clear message to opportunists that your home is well-protected, usually causing them to move on immediately.