Ampthill Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2023, Ampthill recorded a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This lower-than-average rate suggests a relatively safer environment for residents compared to the national picture. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 43.8% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.7%) and other theft (12.5%). These figures align with the seasonal context of November, a time when darker evenings and events like Bonfire Night may contribute to increased incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour. The rate of violent crime in Ampthill (2.3 per 1,000) is 11% below the UK average, which could reflect local policing strategies or community characteristics that mitigate aggression in public spaces. However, the area's burglary rate (0.6 per 1,000) is 76% above the UK average, indicating a need for targeted interventions in property crime prevention. The combination of low overall crime rates with specific vulnerabilities in burglary highlights the importance of balancing general safety with focused measures in high-risk areas. As a built-up area within Central Bedfordshire, Ampthill's crime profile may be influenced by its proximity to larger urban centres, where property crime is more prevalent, while its smaller population size and community networks may help suppress violent crime.

November 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in Ampthill's crime profile. Other theft surged by 500% (from 1 to 6 incidents), marking the most dramatic increase. Public order offences also rose sharply by 200%, with reports tripling from 1 to 3. This escalation in non-violent but disruptive crimes may be linked to the heightened activity around Black Friday shopping or the timing of Bonfire Night events, which can create environments conducive to anti-social behaviour. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 66.7%, and vehicle crime dropped by 33.3%, suggesting that seasonal factors or local enforcement efforts may have temporarily curbed these categories. The increase in violent crimes was also striking, with an 110% rise from 10 to 21 incidents. This spike in violence and sexual offences, which now constitute 43.8% of all reported crimes, is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant shift in the crime mix. While the UK average for violent crime is 2.6 per 1,000, Ampthill's rate of 2.3 per 1,000 is 11% below that benchmark, indicating that despite the month-on-month increase, the area remains relatively safer in this category compared to the national average. Residents should be aware that the sharp rise in other theft and public order crimes may reflect temporary spikes rather than long-term trends, though the 500% increase in theft alone is a concrete data point that could inform local safety initiatives.

Ampthill's crime rate in November 2023 (5.3 per 1,000) marked a 45.6% increase from the previous month's rate of 3.6 per 1,000. This upward trend, while significant, still places the area well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the frequency of incidents for residents. When viewed through a population-scaled lens, the monthly exposure to crime was 1 reported crime for every 189 residents. This ratio helps contextualise the risk: a resident in Ampthill would statistically encounter one crime every 189 people in the community over the course of November. The comparison to the UK average also reveals nuanced differences in crime type distribution. For instance, the area's burglary rate (0.6 per 1,000) is 76% above the UK average, yet its violent crime rate remains 11% below the national figure. These disparities suggest that local factors—such as housing density, property values, or policing priorities—may shape specific crime trends. While the 45.6% month-on-month increase is notable, it is important to consider that November's seasonal dynamics, including darker evenings and holiday-related activity, could temporarily elevate crime rates. This context helps residents understand that the rise in crime is not necessarily indicative of a broader decline in safety but may reflect cyclical patterns influenced by time of year.