Prestwood and Great Missenden Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Prestwood and Great Missenden maintained a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, 29.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This consistent performance, despite the month’s post-holiday context, underscores the area’s relative safety compared to national trends. The top crime types were shoplifting and violence and sexual offences, each contributing 29.4% of total incidents. Shoplifting, while a local concern, was 146% above the UK average, highlighting a potential vulnerability in retail environments. Conversely, violence and sexual offences remained 44% below the UK average, a testament to the area’s effective community policing or lower population density. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and post-holiday activity—may have influenced crime patterns. For instance, the lower-than-UK-average rates of criminal damage and arson (17% below) could reflect the area’s limited exposure to vandalism during colder months. However, the 400% surge in shoplifting defies immediate explanation, suggesting that local factors—such as changes in store hours or staffing—may have played a role. Overall, the area’s crime profile remains characterised by low levels of violent crime and property offences, with shoplifting emerging as a notable exception. This balance between local challenges and broader safety trends illustrates the complexity of crime dynamics in small, built-up areas.

Shoplifting saw a dramatic 400% increase in January 2026, rising from 2 to 10 incidents—a stark contrast to the area’s usual patterns. This spike, though unexplained by the data, may partly reflect post-holiday retail activity or other transient factors. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 57.1%, suggesting a possible seasonal dip in such crimes during the colder months. Violence and sexual offences rose by 66.7%, though they remain 44% below the UK average, indicating a persistent local safety advantage in this category. For residents, the sharp increase in shoplifting is a notable concern, as it directly impacts local businesses and public spaces. Other theft and vehicle crime both decreased by 50%, aligning with the area’s broader trend of lower property crime rates compared to the UK. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns, where specific categories can fluctuate sharply even as overall rates remain stable.

Prestwood and Great Missenden's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 9.6% from 4.4 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents compared to December 2025. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area’s overall trend of remaining significantly below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly one crime per day, a figure that, while low, may reflect the small population of 7,115 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 209 residents, a statistic that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the community. This monthly exposure is particularly meaningful for residents, as it translates to a relatively low personal risk compared to larger urban areas. The population context also highlights the area’s character as a small, closely knit community, where localised factors—such as retail patterns or seasonal shifts—can have a more pronounced impact on crime trends than in densely populated regions.