Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Prestwood and Great Missenden's crime rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents in July 2023 places it 57.8% below the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This built-up area within Buckinghamshire, likely a mix of residential and commercial zones, demonstrates a crime profile markedly lower than the national picture. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, comprising 32% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (20%) and public order offences (12%). The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and a tourism-driven economy—may partly explain patterns in crime types. For instance, the relatively high rate of violence and sexual offences (1.1 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000 could reflect increased social interaction during festivals and outdoor events. Conversely, property crimes like burglary (0.3 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) remain significantly below national averages, consistent with the area's character as a low-density, suburban environment where community cohesion may deter such crimes. The low rate of anti-social behaviour (0.3 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000 further underscores the area's generally stable social dynamics. While the overall crime rate is exceptionally low, the presence of violent offences suggests targeted community engagement could address specific vulnerabilities during peak summer months.

July 2023 saw notable month-on-month increases in anti-social behaviour (+100%), bicycle theft (+100%), and burglary (+100%)—all previously unreported in June. These spikes, though small in absolute terms, highlight potential vulnerabilities during the summer tourism season. The crime mix shifted slightly toward violent offences (32% of total crimes) compared to property crimes (40% in June), a trend consistent with the seasonal context of increased public gatherings. Violent crimes in the area remain 60% below the UK average (1.1 vs 2.8 per 1,000), while criminal damage and arson (0.7 per 1,000) slightly exceed the UK rate (0.6 per 1,000) by 9%. This anomaly may reflect local factors such as the presence of heritage buildings or seasonal festivals that could inadvertently encourage such crimes. Residents may find the low rate of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) particularly reassuring, as it is 79% below the UK average—likely a result of limited commercial vehicle activity and strong community vigilance in a smaller built-up area.

The crime rate in July 2023 (3.5 per 1,000) represents a 19.0% increase from June's 3.0 per 1,000, though it remains well below the UK average. Over the course of July, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 285 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is exceptionally low compared to larger urban areas. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that may feel more manageable to residents due to the relatively small population of 7,115. This local context contrasts sharply with national statistics, where the average resident faces 8.3 crimes per 1,000 people. The area's low crime rate is particularly striking when considering the UK's overall average for violent offences (2.8 per 1,000), which is nearly double the local rate of 1.1 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect the built-up area's mix of residential tranquillity and limited nightlife, reducing opportunities for violent incidents. However, the slight increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average suggests that local infrastructure or seasonal events could present unique challenges requiring targeted attention.