Ampthill Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Ampthill records an outstanding overall crime rate of only 41.0 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it well below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town boasts an excellent Safety Score of 90 out of 100, making it one of the safest areas in Central Bedfordshire. The latest data classifies the crime trend as stable, reflecting a minor year-over-year decrease of -3.9%. This stable, low-volume crime environment is highly favourable, although the high proportion of violence and anti-social behaviour still warrants attention.

Crime Type Analysis

Ampthill is one of the safest settlements in the region, with an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 41.0 per 1,000 residents. The crime profile is heavily focused on social issues. Violence and sexual offences is the most frequent category, accounting for 37.4% of all reported crimes, or 15.3 incidents per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 20.4% (8.4 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Other theft, which accounts for 8.9% of the total, suggesting opportunistic larceny is the primary property threat.

Ampthill’s overall property crime rate is remarkably low, standing at just 13.2 per 1,000 people, far below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This figure includes Burglary (5.7%), Vehicle crime (7.0%), and Criminal damage (8.1%). The low volume across all property categories indicates a very secure residential environment. The main safety priority for residents is managing personal security and public order, given the high proportional dominance of violence and anti-social behaviour.

Ampthill Crime Trend Analysis

Ampthill’s crime trend is classified as stable, recording a minor year-over-year decrease of -3.9%. This indicates that the town has maintained its low crime volume consistently over the past 12 months, without experiencing any major positive or negative shifts.

The monthly trend data shows that crime rates have been consistently low, generally fluctuating between 2.0 and 4.9 per 1,000. The lowest rates were observed in August (2.0 per 1,000) and October (2.2 per 1,000), indicating a particularly quiet period in the late summer and autumn. A minor peak was recorded in February (4.9 per 1,000). The stability of these low figures reinforces Ampthill’s reputation as a consistently safe place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Ampthill

The most frequent crime type in Ampthill is Violence and sexual offences, followed by Anti-social behaviour. The third most common is Other theft, which requires specific attention regarding opportunistic property crime.

1. Secure Possessions: Given the prevalence of Other theft, be meticulous about securing all unattended items. This includes locking bicycles, securing garden tools, and ensuring nothing valuable is left visible in vehicles or driveways.
2. Residential Security: Although Burglary is low, ensure all entry points are secured, particularly during the day when opportunistic thieves may target properties. Use timers for lights when away to simulate occupancy.
3. Public Awareness: Maintain situational awareness in public areas, especially around the town centre where Anti-social behaviour may occur. Avoid confronting individuals and report incidents promptly.
4. Evening Travel: Given the high proportion of Violence, be cautious when walking alone late at night. Stick to familiar, well-lit routes to minimise personal risk.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Crime activity in Ampthill is heaviest during the daytime and evening hours. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) is the busiest for theft-related offences, accounting for 49% of property crimes, coinciding with busy working hours and commercial activity. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) also see elevated theft and burglary incidents. In the evening (6pm to 12am), 'Other' crimes, which typically include violence and anti-social behaviour, dominate 40% of all incidents, reflecting increased social activity. The night period (12am to 6am) sees a significant drop in overall volume, but Vehicle crime remains the primary property concern, accounting for 43% of the few offences reported overnight.

Regional Crime Context

Ampthill’s crime rate of 41.0 per 1,000 is exceptionally low and sets a high safety standard in the region. It is significantly lower than its immediate urban neighbour, Flitwick (53.9 per 1,000), and also safer than Maulden (53.8 per 1,000). Compared to smaller, more rural settlements, Ampthill is slightly higher than Flitton (26.0 per 1,000) and Greenfield (Central Bedfordshire) (0.0 per 1,000). Overall, Ampthill maintains a strong position as one of the safest settlements in Central Bedfordshire, offering residents a very low-crime environment compared to the wider UK.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With Ampthill's property crime rate at a remarkably low 13.2 per 1,000, residents are primarily concerned with preventing the rare but impactful incidents of theft and burglary. Standard, reactive security, such as basic alarms or recording cameras, only documents a crime after it has occurred, which is insufficient when the aim is absolute prevention.

For residents seeking uncompromising security, proactive systems utilizing scOS technology are highly effective. These AI-powered systems use multi-camera intelligence to constantly monitor the property perimeter, instantly distinguishing genuine threats from routine activity. By providing an autonomous response—like engaging lights and audio deterrence—scOS destroys the element of surprise. This professional-grade, visible deterrence makes a criminal's 60-second decision easy: they move on. Investing in such a system is a powerful way to secure the home against opportunistic 'Other theft' and maintain the area's excellent safety record.