Barton-le-Clay Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Barton-le-Clay records an excellent overall crime rate of 41.0 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it substantially below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town boasts a very high Safety Score of 92 out of 100. However, the latest data shows that the crime trend is increasing, with a significant year-over-year rise of 19.2%. This notable upward trend suggests a recent elevation in the volume of reported incidents compared to the previous period. Despite the low base rate, this increase, particularly in anti-social behaviour and violence, warrants close attention.

Crime Type Analysis

Barton-le-Clay records an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 41.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it well below the national average. The crime profile is heavily skewed towards social and public safety issues. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the most frequent category, accounting for 38.0% of all reported crimes, or 15.6 incidents per 1,000 people. This is followed by Violence and sexual offences at 25.4% (10.4 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Vehicle crime, which represents 8.3% of the total, indicating a specific property vulnerability.

The town’s overall property crime rate is remarkably low, standing at just 10.8 per 1,000 people, far below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This low rate includes Criminal damage (7.8%) and Burglary (3.9%). The overwhelming concentration of ASB and violence suggests that the primary safety priorities for residents are focused on public order and personal security, rather than high volumes of acquisitive property crime. The low overall rate reinforces the town’s image as a highly secure area.

Barton-le-Clay Crime Trend Analysis

Barton-le-Clay is currently classified as having an increasing crime trend, marked by a significant year-over-year rise of 19.2%. While the overall volume of crime remains very low, this notable increase suggests a recent surge in reported incidents compared to the previous 12-month period, necessitating local monitoring.

Analysis of the monthly trend data shows high volatility. The rate was lowest in August (1.8 per 1,000) and December (2.4 per 1,000). Activity saw a sharp increase in the late spring and early summer, peaking in June (6.2 per 1,000) and May (5.0 per 1,000). The sustained higher volume in the middle of the year confirms the annual upward trend. Residents should be aware of this seasonal pattern and focus efforts on prevention during the warmer months.

How To Keep Safe in Barton-le-Clay

The most frequent crime type in Barton-le-Clay is Anti-social behaviour (ASB), accounting for 38.0% of all incidents. Addressing public nuisance and disorder is the main safety priority for residents.

1. Prioritise Reporting ASB: Given the dominance of Anti-social behaviour, residents should promptly report all instances of nuisance and disorder to the police. Consistent reporting is essential for local authorities to allocate resources effectively.
2. Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime is the third highest offence. Always ensure your vehicle is locked, and never leave valuables visible. Consider additional physical deterrents, as opportunistic theft is a possibility.
3. Home Security Basics: Ensure all residential entry points are secured, even during the day, to prevent opportunistic Burglary and theft. Use motion-activated lighting in gardens and driveways.
4. Personal Safety: Maintain situational awareness when walking alone late at night, particularly in public gathering spots, to mitigate the risk from Violence and public order offences.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Crime activity in Barton-le-Clay is most pronounced during the evening and night hours. The night period (12am to 6am) is heavily dominated by Vehicle crime, which accounts for 57% of all offences, indicating focused targeting of unattended cars overnight. The evening (6pm to 12am) also sees a high concentration of 'Other' crimes, which typically includes anti-social behaviour and violence, dominating 43% of reported offences. Daytime activity is lower, with the afternoon (12pm to 6pm) seeing the highest percentage of theft-related offences (35%). Morning hours (6am to 12pm) are also active for vehicle and general theft, coinciding with the commute and commercial activity.

Regional Crime Context

Barton-le-Clay’s crime rate of 41.0 per 1,000 is exceptionally low and positions it as one of the safest settlements in the region. Its rate is significantly lower than its neighbour Harlington (50.9 per 1,000). The town is expectedly higher than the rural settlements of Streatley (Central Bedfordshire), Pulloxhill, and Apsley End, all reporting rates of 0.0 per 1,000. Overall, Barton-le-Clay maintains a strong safety profile, offering residents a very low-crime environment compared to the wider UK and Central Bedfordshire average. The recent increase in volume should be monitored, but the base rate remains highly favourable.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With Barton-le-Clay enjoying an extremely low property crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000, security measures should focus on absolute prevention against the few incidents of vehicle crime or burglary. Traditional, reactive security, such as standard cameras, only provides footage of an intrusion after it has occurred, failing to prevent the loss or damage.

For residents seeking the highest level of assurance, proactive systems utilizing scOS technology are highly effective. These AI-powered systems use multi-camera intelligence to constantly monitor the property perimeter, instantly identifying genuine threats. By providing an autonomous response—like engaging lights and audio warnings—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 the best way to maintain the area's excellent safety record and combat opportunistic property crime.