Rural Buckinghamshire Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 58,224, 260 crimes reported in May 2023 equate to 4.5 crimes per 1,000 residents — 43.8% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This rate positions Rural Buckinghamshire as one of the safest areas in the country, though the crime profile reflects local patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.9% of all crimes, followed by other theft (11.9%) and vehicle crime (11.5%). The seasonal context of May, with its bank holidays and extended evenings, likely contributes to higher incidents of violence and sexual offences, as outdoor socialising increases. This aligns with typical rural patterns where community events and seasonal transitions influence crime dynamics. Vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000) is 11% above the UK average, possibly linked to the built-up area’s proximity to major roads or commuter routes. In contrast, anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) is 62% below the UK average, suggesting lower levels of public disorder in this relatively low-density area. The data also shows a stark contrast in theft trends: shoplifting (0.1 per 1,000) is 80% below the UK average, while vehicle crime exceeds the national rate, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in specific categories.

May 2023 saw significant shifts in crime trends, with shoplifting surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents) — the largest increase of any category. This jump, though still far below the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), may reflect seasonal retail activity or targeted theft during local events. Concurrently, vehicle crime rose by 66.7% (18 to 30 incidents), a rate of 0.5 per 1,000 that is 11% above the UK average. This could indicate increased traffic or unsecured vehicles in the built-up area. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), remaining at 0.0 per 1,000 — 100% below the UK average. The decline may relate to heightened awareness during warmer evenings or improved community policing efforts. Drug-related offences doubled (4 to 8), a rate of 0.1 per 1,000 that is 52% below the UK average. This increase, though modest, warrants monitoring for potential localised factors. The overall crime mix remains skewed toward violence (36.9%) and property crimes (23.4%), with violent crimes per 1,000 (1.7) 39% below the UK average. This divergence underscores the area’s unique characteristics, where community cohesion may mitigate broader UK trends in violent crime.

The crime rate in May 2023 (4.5 per 1,000) marks a 21.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 3.7 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend. On a daily basis, 8 crimes were reported each day — a figure that may seem high but must be contextualised within the area’s population of 58,224. Over the course of May, one crime occurred for roughly every 224 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic illustrates the relative safety of Rural Buckinghamshire, where the built-up area’s infrastructure and community networks may reduce the likelihood of crime compared to more densely populated regions. The 21.5% month-on-month rise, while notable, remains within the broader context of the area’s consistently low crime rates. For residents, the 1-in-224 figure provides a tangible reference for understanding risk levels, particularly when compared to the UK’s higher average. This comparison also highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in maintaining safety, even as seasonal factors introduce temporary fluctuations in specific crime categories.