Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

June 2023 marked a continuation of the low crime profile characteristic of Prestwood and Great Missenden, a built-up area within Buckinghamshire. The area’s crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents placed it 64.7% below the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects the area’s relatively quiet, residential nature compared to larger urban centres. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 38.1% of all reported crimes, though this rate remained 62% below the UK average for this category. Criminal damage and arson followed at 19.1%, with a 6% deficit against the UK average, while public order offences contributed 14.3%, 40% below the national benchmark. These figures suggest a community where violent crime is less prevalent than in the UK as a whole, possibly influenced by the area’s smaller population, lower levels of commercial activity, and strong local policing presence. Seasonally, June’s longer days and the onset of summer tourism in nearby rural areas may have contributed to slight fluctuations in certain categories, though the overall crime rate remained stable. The absence of major retail hubs or nightlife venues likely reduces opportunities for property crime, aligning with the low rates of shoplifting (81% below UK average) and vehicle crime (79% below UK average). This data reinforces the area’s reputation as a safer, more tranquil part of Buckinghamshire, where crime prevention efforts and community cohesion appear to have a measurable impact.

June 2023 brought notable shifts in crime patterns, with criminal damage and arson surging by 100% compared to May, rising from 2 to 4 incidents. This increase may reflect seasonal factors such as the start of summer, when outdoor activities and local festivals could inadvertently create conditions for vandalism. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 83.3%, from 6 to 1 incident, linked to community initiatives or increased police patrols during the summer months. Vehicle crime also fell sharply by 75%, from 4 to 1, a decline consistent with the area’s low density of commuter parking zones, which typically drive such offences. Meanwhile, other theft rose by 100% to 2 incidents, suggesting a small but noticeable uptick in opportunistic crimes. The balance between property and violent crimes remained relatively even, with both categories accounting for 38.1% and 38.1% of total crimes respectively, though violent crime remained significantly below the UK average. Residents may find the 62% deficit in violence and sexual offences particularly reassuring, as this category often dominates crime statistics in larger urban areas. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends, influenced by both seasonal rhythms and the area’s unique demographic and geographic characteristics.

The crime rate in June 2023 (3.0 per 1,000) represented a 32.3% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.4 per 1,000, underscoring a sustained downward trend in the area’s overall crime profile. On a daily basis, the 21 total crimes reported over June amounted to roughly one incident per day, a figure that contrasts sharply with the UK’s much higher daily crime rates. When scaled to the area’s population of 7,115, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 339 residents illustrates the low likelihood of any individual encountering crime, a statistic that is particularly striking when compared to national averages. This context is further reinforced by the area’s performance across specific crime categories: for example, the 81% deficit in shoplifting compared to the UK average suggests that the absence of major retail hubs in Prestwood and Great Missenden limits opportunities for such crimes. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the effectiveness of local policing and community engagement in maintaining safety, even as small fluctuations in certain categories occur. While the 100% increase in criminal damage and arson may raise questions, the overall trajectory remains one of improvement, with the area continuing to outperform national benchmarks in most categories.