Ampthill Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 9,063 residents, 34 crimes in December 2024 translates to roughly one reported incident for every 267 people — a figure that contextualises the low crime rate in human terms. Ampthill’s overall crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents sits 46.5% below the UK average of 7.1, a disparity consistent with the area’s character as a relatively small built-up area with limited urban density. The top crime categories — violence and sexual offences (32.4% of total), other theft (26.5%), and anti-social behaviour (11.8%) — reflect patterns typical of small towns where interpersonal disputes and property-related offences dominate. Seasonal factors likely contributed to the distribution: the Christmas shopping period may have amplified theft opportunities, while shorter evenings and holiday-related absences could explain the 100% rise in criminal damage and arson. The relatively low rate of violent crime compared to the UK average (2.6 per 1,000) may also reflect community cohesion and the absence of high-risk environments such as late-night entertainment districts. However, the sharp increase in other theft — 80% higher than November — suggests targeted opportunities, linked to unsecured premises during festive periods.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson (+100%), shoplifting (+100%), and other theft (+80%) compared to November. These rises, particularly in property crimes, contrast with declines in public order offences (-85.7%) and vehicle crime (-33.3%). The 85% gap between Ampthill’s other theft rate (1.0 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) highlights a localised vulnerability — potentially linked to seasonal retail activity or unmonitored properties. Meanwhile, the 57% UK deficit in anti-social behaviour (0.4 vs 0.9 per 1,000) suggests effective community policing or lower population density reducing opportunities for such incidents. Violence and sexual offences in Ampthill (1.2 per 1,000) are 53% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), a discrepancy that may stem from the area’s lack of high-risk demographics or robust local support networks. Residents concerned about theft might consider reviewing home security measures, given the 80% surge in this category.

Ampthill’s crime rate remained stable at 3.8 per 1,000 in December 2024, matching the previous month’s figure. This consistency is notable given the seasonal fluctuations typically observed in crime data. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, is offset by the town’s small population of 9,063. Over the course of the month, this translates to a 1-in-267 chance of a resident being directly involved in a reported crime, a statistic that underscores the area’s overall safety compared to larger urban centres. When scaled to the UK population, Ampthill’s performance is striking: its violent crime rate (1.2 per 1,000) is 53% below the national average, and anti-social behaviour is 57% lower. These figures suggest that Ampthill’s built-up area, while not immune to crime, benefits from factors such as lower population density, effective policing, or community engagement initiatives that are less common in more densely populated regions. For residents, the stability in crime rates offers reassurance, though the 80% increase in other theft highlights the need for vigilance during periods of heightened retail activity.