Biggleswade Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Biggleswade's crime profile in January 2024 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences (41 incidents) and shoplifting (23 incidents) dominating the mix. The overall crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents places the area 37.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, underscoring its relatively low-risk environment. This pattern aligns with the area's character as a built-up area within Central Bedfordshire, where retail presence and community dynamics likely influence crime types. Violence and sexual offences, though the most common category, remain 35% below the UK average, suggesting effective local measures in addressing violent crime. Shoplifting, however, stands out as significantly higher than the UK average, potentially linked to the town's retail infrastructure and the post-holiday period, which may have increased opportunities for such offences. Anti-social behaviour (10 incidents) and criminal damage (9 incidents) also feature prominently. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and a post-holiday lull—may have contributed to the lower overall crime rate, though the sharp rise in shoplifting indicates an exception to this trend. The balance of crime types illustrates a community where retail-focused crimes and interpersonal conflicts coexist, shaped by both local geography and broader socio-economic factors.

January saw dramatic shifts in specific crime categories, with shoplifting leaping from four to 23 incidents—a 475% increase. This surge, coupled with a 400% rise in robbery and a 100% increase in theft from the person, points to a significant shift in the crime mix. While property crimes (49) and violent crimes (41) remained the top two categories by volume, the sharp rise in shoplifting and robbery suggests a growing emphasis on retail and personal-targeted offences. Shoplifting in Biggleswade is 75% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, while robbery is 100% above the UK rate of 0.1 per 1,000. Conversely, vehicle crime and burglary fell by 83.3% and 90% respectively, aligning with the UK averages for these categories. These movements highlight a combination of local retail environments and broader crime trends.

Biggleswade's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable compared to December, declining by 0.9% to 4.6 per 1,000 residents from 4.7. This suggests continuity in local patterns despite seasonal shifts. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately four reported crimes each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for roughly every 216 residents over the course of the month, illustrating the relative frequency of incidents within the population. This figure is particularly useful for understanding the scale of risk in a way that accounts for the area's population of 23,991. The consistency in the crime rate between months indicates that factors influencing crime in Biggleswade are likely stable, though specific crime types have seen notable fluctuations in their own right.