Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime picture in Prestwood and Great Missenden for October 2024, accounting for 39% of all reported crimes. This category, which includes assaults and sexual offences, recorded 16 incidents at a rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents—14% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. The area's overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents is 28.4% below the UK average of 8.1, a disparity that underscores the effectiveness of local policing or the area's unique characteristics. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type, rose sharply in October but remains 22% below the UK average. Seasonal factors likely play a role in these patterns: the transition to darker evenings in October may contribute to increased incidents of violence, while Halloween-related activities could influence reports of anti-social behaviour. The area's crime profile suggests a community where property crimes are relatively rare compared to violent offences, with shoplifting and other thefts accounting for just 15% of total incidents. This balance may reflect the presence of small retail outlets and the absence of large commercial hubs that typically drive higher rates of property crime. The combination of low population density and a strong local police presence may also explain the area's consistently low crime rates, though further analysis would be needed to confirm these hypotheses.

October 2024 saw a 250% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from two to seven incidents. This surge, though modest in absolute terms, may reflect the impact of Halloween-related activities or the transition to darker evenings. Meanwhile, burglary and 'other crime' both doubled from zero to two incidents, marking a notable shift in the crime mix. These increases contrast with an 80% decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell from five to one incident—a drop potentially linked to seasonal factors or changes in community engagement. The area's violent crime rate (2.3 per 1,000) remains 14% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributed to the area's relatively low population density and strong community cohesion. Residents may find the 29% below-average rate for public order offences particularly relevant, as it suggests a lower incidence of disturbances compared to similar-sized communities elsewhere.

Prestwood and Great Missenden's crime rate in October 2024 rose by 13.8% compared to the previous month, moving from 5.1 to 5.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects shifting patterns in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may resonate with local residents as a tangible measure of risk. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 174 residents. This statistic contextualises the rate within the community, highlighting that the likelihood of experiencing crime remains relatively low compared to broader UK averages. The local context—characterised by a mix of residential areas, small businesses, and proximity to larger urban centres—may influence the distribution of crime types, though the overall rate remains well below the national benchmark. These figures suggest that while the area is not immune to fluctuations, its crime profile continues to diverge from the UK average in meaningful ways.