Caddington Crime Rate

Caddington is a secure urban settlement in Central Bedfordshire, boasting an overall crime rate of 65.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6, contributing to a solid safety score of 84/100. Most importantly, the area is seeing a strong positive trend, with reported crime decreasing by 14.1% year-over-year. While violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, vehicle crime is a notable local concern, particularly during the night. However, with a property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000—well below the national average of 32.2—Caddington remains a safe and attractive location for residents and families seeking a secure environment near larger Bedfordshire towns.

Crime Breakdown in Caddington

In Caddington, the crime landscape is primarily shaped by violence and sexual offences, which account for 36.3% of all reports. Vehicle crime is the second most significant concern at 15.4%, followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.5%. These three categories represent the majority of local criminal activity, indicating a mix of interpersonal incidents and property-related offences.

The overall property crime rate in Caddington—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—is 21.8 per 1,000 people. This is a notable figure, with vehicle crime being a major contributor, particularly during the night-time hours. Burglary accounts for 3.0% of the total, while criminal damage and arson make up 6.0%. For residents, this means that while the area is safer than the UK average, property protection—especially for vehicles—is a critical component of maintaining a secure household in Caddington.

Crime Trends in Caddington

The crime trend in Caddington is highly encouraging, with a significant year-over-year decrease of 14.1%. This downward trajectory suggests a notable improvement in local safety. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with moderate activity, with rates around 6.4 to 6.9 per 1,000 in January and February.

The lowest point of the year occurred in April, with a crime rate of just 3.2 per 1,000. While there was a slight increase during the summer months and a peak of 7.1 in December, the overall average remains well below historical levels. The fluctuations throughout the year are typical for a settlement of this size, but the double-digit percentage drop in total crime is a strong indicator of a positive trend. For residents, this means that Caddington is not only safer than the national average but is actively becoming more secure over time.

How To Keep Safe in Caddington

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime types in Caddington, followed closely by vehicle crime. To maintain personal safety and protect your property, residents should adopt a mix of awareness and proactive security habits.

Firstly, be mindful of your surroundings when walking at night and stick to well-lit, populated routes. Secondly, given the exceptionally high rate of vehicle crime overnight (71% of night-time reports), always park in a garage or behind secure gates if possible. If parking on the street, use visible deterrents like steering wheel locks and ensure no valuables are left inside. Thirdly, be a vigilant neighbour; reporting suspicious activity around parked cars or residential properties during the afternoon (peak burglary time) can prevent crimes before they happen. Finally, consider installing motion-activated lighting around your driveway and property perimeter to discourage opportunistic offenders. By focusing on these specific local risks, Caddington residents can enjoy the area's declining crime trend and high safety standards.

Caddington's crime data shows a very distinct temporal pattern, particularly regarding vehicle crime. During the night-time hours (12am-6am), vehicle crime accounts for a staggering 71% of all reported incidents. This risk remains high throughout the day, with 45% of morning crimes and 41% of evening crimes also being vehicle-related. In contrast, the afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees a shift towards theft (33%) and burglary (18%), suggesting that property-related crimes are more frequent when residents are away from home. These patterns indicate that while personal safety is a general concern, the specific protection of vehicles should be an around-the-clock priority for Caddington residents, with a particular focus on the overnight hours.

When compared to surrounding areas, Caddington offers a safer residential environment than many of its larger neighbours. Its crime rate of 65.5 per 1,000 is considerably lower than that of Luton, which sits at 97.5, and also outperforms Kensworth at 81.8. While it is slightly more active than smaller settlements like Slip End (50.2) and Markyate (59.6), Caddington provides a balanced safety profile for those who want to avoid the higher crime rates of major urban centres while still enjoying the benefits of a well-connected built-up area. The significant 14.1% decrease in local crime further enhances its regional standing as an area that is actively becoming safer.

Caddington's property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents is lower than the national average, but the specific prevalence of vehicle crime—which accounts for 71% of all night-time reports—demands a sophisticated approach to security. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, are reactive. They record footage or sound an alert only after a crime has been initiated, often leaving residents with evidence but no prevention.

The scOS AI-powered operating system offers a proactive solution that is ideally suited to Caddington's crime profile. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries and driveways in real-time, scOS can detect potential vehicle thieves before they even touch a car. Features like autonomous lighting and voice engagement destroy the element of surprise, which is the primary tool of opportunistic night-time offenders. For Caddington homeowners, scOS provides the peace of mind that comes from a system designed to prevent crime at the boundary, ensuring that vehicles and homes are protected long before a breach occurs.