Rural Buckinghamshire Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 58,224, the 224 crimes reported in May 2024 translate to 3.9 crimes per 1,000 residents — a rate 53.6% below the UK average of 8.4. This reflects a consistently low crime profile for Rural Buckinghamshire, a built-up area within Buckinghamshire that combines rural tranquility with limited urban density. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 39.7% of all reports (89 cases) — 47% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 15.2% (34 cases), also significantly below the UK rate. These figures align with the area's character as a low-density rural zone with limited nightlife and commercial activity, though the seasonal context of May — with longer evenings and bank holidays — may contribute to increased socialising and associated incidents. Property crimes made up only 31.7% of the total (71 cases), compared to 43.6% of UK crimes, suggesting a lower incidence of burglary and vehicle-related offences. This pattern is consistent with the area's limited retail presence and lower population density. month-on-month increase in overall crime rate from 3.4 to 3.9 per 1,000 residents indicates a slight upward trend that warrants monitoring. The data also shows minimal instances of shoplifting, robbery, and possession of weapons — all 100% below UK averages — which may reflect the area's lower foot traffic and fewer opportunities for such crimes. While the overall rate remains well below national levels, the rise in anti-social behaviour and theft from the person suggests a need to consider how seasonal factors and local events influence crime patterns in this rural setting.

May 2024 saw a 61.9% increase in anti-social behaviour reports, rising from 21 to 34 cases. This jump, coupled with a 40.0% rise in other thefts (from 15 to 21), suggests a shift in crime dynamics that may be linked to the extended daylight hours and social activities typical of May. Conversely, shoplifting cases dropped by 66.7% (from 6 to 2), potentially due to reduced retail activity or targeted policing efforts. The category of 'other crime' — the only type above UK average — rose to 0.2 per 1,000 (9 cases), though this remains a small proportion of total crimes. The significant disparity between local and UK rates for violence and sexual offences (1.5 vs 2.8 per 1,000) highlights the area's lower incidence of this category, due to its rural nature and limited population density. Residents might find the 33.3% increase in theft from the person (from 3 to 4 cases) particularly relevant, as this type of crime is often tied to public spaces and events. The 36% reduction in vehicle crime (from 0.5 to 0.3 per 1,000) further underscores the area's lower exposure to this category, likely due to fewer parked vehicles in public areas. These fluctuations, while not dramatic, illustrate how crime patterns can shift subtly with seasonal changes and local factors.

The crime rate in May 2024 (3.9 per 1,000) represents a 14.9% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.4.6% below the UK average. This monthly rise, while modest, translates to roughly 7 crimes per day in Rural Buckinghamshire — a figure that, when scaled to the area's population, means one reported crime occurred for every 260 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate (1-in-260) is lower than the UK's average of 1-in-120, reflecting the area's consistent safety record. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the disproportionate impact of certain crime types: for instance, the 39.7% share of violence and sexual offences (89 cases) in a low-crime area suggests that these incidents, while fewer in number, have a relatively higher visibility compared to other categories. This contrast with the UK's 47% share of violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000) illustrates how rural areas with limited nightlife and commercial hubs may experience different crime distributions. While the daily crime count (7) might seem high for a rural setting, it remains significantly lower than the UK average of 23 crimes per day. This comparison reinforces the area's status as a relatively safe environment. month-on-month increase indicates a need for continued attention to emerging trends in anti-social behaviour and theft-related offences.