Caddington Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Caddington records a favourable overall crime rate of 61.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it substantially below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town maintains a strong Safety Score of 85 out of 100. Furthermore, the crime trend is decreasing, having seen a significant year-over-year reduction of -19.0%. This substantial decline suggests a marked improvement in the local safety environment over the past year. Despite this positive trend, the high proportion of violence and vehicle crime warrants specific attention.

Crime Type Analysis

Caddington records an overall crime rate of 61.8 per 1,000 residents, which is well below the national average. The crime profile is dominated by social issues and vehicle targeting. Violence and sexual offences is the most frequent category, accounting for 34.5% of all reported crimes, or 21.3 incidents per 1,000 people. This is followed by Vehicle crime, which represents a significant 14.3% of the total (8.8 per 1,000), indicating a specific vulnerability regarding vehicle security. The third most common offence is Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 13.1% (8.1 per 1,000).

The town’s overall property crime rate is 22.8 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This rate includes Criminal damage (8.7%) and Burglary (3.6%). 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. The low overall rate reinforces the town’s image as a generally secure area.

Caddington Crime Trend Analysis

Caddington is experiencing a strong positive trend, with the crime rate classified as decreasing, marked by a significant year-over-year reduction of -19.0%. This substantial decline suggests a marked improvement in the local safety environment and a sustained reduction in the overall volume of crime compared to the previous period.

Reviewing the monthly trend data shows consistent low rates. The lowest recorded rate was in April (3.2 per 1,000) and December (3.4 per 1,000). Rates saw minor peaks in January (6.4 per 1,000) and February (6.9 per 1,000), suggesting a slight winter increase. However, the rates remained well-managed through the summer and autumn. The overall pattern confirms the annual downward trend, reinforcing Caddington's positive safety trajectory.

How To Keep Safe in Caddington

The most frequent crime type in Caddington 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 (14.3%).

1. Vehicle Security Focus: Given the high rate of Vehicle crime, always park in secure, well-lit locations. 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 third most common crime. Promptly report instances of public nuisance to the police to prevent 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 Caddington 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 68% of all offences, indicating focused targeting of unattended cars overnight. The evening (6pm to 12am) also sees a high proportion of Vehicle crime (37%) and 'Other' crimes (39%), which typically includes anti-social behaviour and violence. Daytime activity is focused on theft. The afternoon (12pm to 6pm) sees theft-related offences peak at 35%, while morning hours (6am to 12pm) are also busy for vehicle and general theft, coinciding with the commute and commercial activity.

Regional Crime Context

Caddington’s crime rate of 61.8 per 1,000 positions it favourably compared to many of its neighbours. It is comparable to Slip End (55.1 per 1,000) and Markyate (62.5 per 1,000). However, it is significantly safer than Kensworth (92.5 per 1,000) and the nearby major urban centre of Luton (98.3 per 1,000). This comparison reinforces Caddington's position as a relatively safe commuter settlement, benefiting from a lower crime volume than the larger urban areas in its immediate vicinity. The low overall rate, combined with the decreasing trend, is highly positive.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With a property crime rate of 22.8 per 1,000 in Caddington and Vehicle crime being the second most frequent offence, residents must invest in preventative security. Reactive security solutions, such as standard cameras, only provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, failing to prevent the loss or intrusion, which is particularly relevant for high-value vehicle theft.

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.