Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Prestwood and Great Missenden recorded a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents in May 2024, placing the area 34.5% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This comparatively low rate is consistent with the area's character as a built-up region within Buckinghamshire, where a mix of rural and suburban influences may contribute to lower overall crime levels. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (12 incidents, 30.8% of total), followed by shoplifting (9 incidents, 23.1%) and criminal damage and arson (4 incidents, 10.3%). These figures suggest a dynamic where interpersonal disputes and retail-related incidents dominate, potentially influenced by seasonal factors such as the longer evenings and increased outdoor activity typical of May. The data also reveals a divergence from the UK average in specific categories: while shoplifting rates are higher (103% above UK levels), anti-social behaviour incidents are 72% below the national average. This contrast may be attributed to the area's relatively small population and the absence of high-density urban environments that typically correlate with higher rates of anti-social conduct. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays and extended daylight hours—may have contributed to the rise in violence and sexual offences, though this connection remains speculative and requires further analysis.

The most striking change in May 2024 was the 140% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 5 to 12 incidents. This surge, though still below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000, raises questions about local factors such as the impact of bank holidays and extended evenings on community interactions. Concurrently, burglary and 'other crime' categories saw 200% increases, each rising from 1 to 3 cases. These jumps may reflect seasonal shifts, such as increased outdoor activity or changes in social patterns during May. Shoplifting rates in the area were 103% above the UK average, a figure that could be linked to the presence of retail hubs or the influence of tourist activity during the spring season. Conversely, anti-social behaviour incidents decreased by 25%, indicating the effectiveness of recent local initiatives or a natural fluctuation in community engagement.

Prestwood and Great Missenden's crime rate in May 2024 rose to 5.5 per 1,000 residents, an 85.8% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.0. This shift brings the area's monthly exposure to roughly one reported crime for every 182 residents, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the local population. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a consistent measure that highlights the pace of reported incidents. When compared to the UK average, the area remains safer, with its overall rate 34.5% below the national figure. However, this month's data reveals a stark contrast in specific crime categories: shoplifting rates, for instance, are 103% above the UK average, suggesting a unique local dynamic that warrants closer examination. The population-scaled perspective also shows that while the overall rate is low, certain crime types are elevated, indicating that targeted measures may be necessary to address these imbalances.