Arlesey Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Arlesey records an overall crime rate of 61.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it well below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town maintains a strong Safety Score of 86 out of 100. However, the latest data shows that the crime trend is increasing, with a year-over-year rise of 11.2%. This upward trend suggests a recent elevation in the volume of reported incidents compared to the previous period. Residents should be aware of this rising trend, particularly concerning the high rates of violence and vehicle crime.

Crime Type Analysis

Arlesey records an overall crime rate of 61.9 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the national average. The crime profile is dominated by social and public safety issues. Violence and sexual offences is the most frequent category, accounting for 32.7% of all reported crimes, or 20.3 incidents per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 22.9% (14.2 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Vehicle crime, which represents 14.1% of the total, or 8.7 per 1,000 people, indicating a specific vulnerability regarding vehicle security.

The town’s overall property crime rate is 21.2 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This rate includes Burglary (4.5%), Other theft (6.4%), and Criminal damage (7.5%). The high proportion of Vehicle crime means that while residential burglary is low, residents should be particularly focused on securing their vehicles against theft and tampering, which represents the most significant property threat.

Arlesey Crime Trend Analysis

Arlesey is currently classified as having an increasing crime trend, marked by a year-over-year rise of 11.2%. This notable increase suggests a significant rise in the overall volume of reported incidents compared to the previous 12-month period, necessitating local attention.

Analysis of the monthly trend data shows volatility. The rate was lowest in November (3.8 per 1,000) but saw a sharp spike in February (7.1 per 1,000). Since March, the rates have remained consistently elevated, fluctuating between 5.1 and 6.1 per 1,000 throughout the spring and summer. The sustained higher volume in the latter half of the year confirms the annual upward trend and suggests that recent crime prevention efforts may need to be enhanced to reverse this trajectory.

How To Keep Safe in Arlesey

The most frequent crime type in Arlesey is Violence and sexual offences. However, Vehicle crime is the most prevalent property offence and requires specific attention from residents due to its high proportion (14.1%).

1. Vehicle Security Focus: Given the high rate of Vehicle crime, always park in well-lit, secure areas. Use visible deterrents like steering wheel locks, and ensure keyless entry fobs are protected in a secure pouch to prevent remote theft.
2. Report Anti-social Behaviour: Anti-social behaviour is the second most common crime. Promptly report instances of public nuisance to the police, as addressing disorder is key to preventing escalation into violence.
3. Personal Safety: Maintain situational awareness when walking alone late at night, particularly around public gathering spots, to mitigate the risk from Violence and public order offences.
4. Residential Security: Ensure that sheds and outbuildings are properly secured, as 'Other theft' is also a notable concern, suggesting opportunistic theft of outdoor possessions.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Crime activity in Arlesey is heavily concentrated on Vehicle crime during the night and evening. The night period (12am to 6am) is overwhelmingly dominated by Vehicle crime, which accounts for 65% of all offences, indicating focused targeting of unattended cars overnight. The evening (6pm to 12am) also sees a very high proportion of Vehicle crime (38%), suggesting a continuation of this threat into the later hours. Daytime activity is focused on theft. The afternoon (12pm to 6pm) sees theft-related offences peak at 41%, while morning hours (6am to 12pm) are also busy for vehicle and general theft, coinciding with the commute and commercial activity.

Regional Crime Context

Arlesey’s crime rate of 61.9 per 1,000 is higher than that of its immediate neighbours. It compares unfavourably to Stotfold (49.6 per 1,000), Henlow (54.3 per 1,000), and Lower Stondon (39.6 per 1,000). It is also slightly higher than Clifton (Central Bedfordshire) (50.5 per 1,000). This comparison suggests that Arlesey faces a higher crime volume than the surrounding villages and smaller towns. Despite this, its rate remains significantly below the national average, indicating that while local vigilance is necessary, the overall safety profile is strong compared to the wider UK context.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With Arlesey’s property crime rate at 21.2 per 1,000 and Vehicle crime being the third most frequent offence, residents must invest in preventative security. Reactive security solutions, such as standard cameras or traditional alarms, only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, failing to prevent the loss or intrusion.

To ensure genuine protection, proactive, AI-powered systems are necessary. scOS technology uses multi-camera intelligence to constantly monitor the property perimeter, detecting threats instantly. This allows for an autonomous response, such as engaging lights and audio warnings, to destroy the element of surprise. This professional-grade, visible deterrence is highly effective against opportunistic property and vehicle criminals. By stopping the threat at the boundary, such systems prevent the crime from taking place, which is far superior to merely recording the event.