Dunton Crime Rate

Dunton is a highly secure residential area with an impressive safety score of 89/100, placing it well above the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate stands at 44.2 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 91.7. Despite these positive figures, the area has experienced a recent upward trend, with crime increasing by 19.0% over the last year. This suggests that while the village remains one of the safer settlements in Central Bedfordshire, there has been a notable rise in local incidents. The following data provides a detailed look at the specific crime types and time patterns that define the safety profile of Dunton, helping residents understand and mitigate local risks.

In Dunton, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 28.0% of all reported incidents. This is followed by burglary and vehicle crime, representing 18.0% and 16.0% of total activity respectively. These figures highlight that while Dunton remains a relatively quiet area, personal safety and property security are the primary concerns for the local community.

Property-related crime in Dunton—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 22.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3, yet the concentration of burglary and vehicle theft within this category suggests that opportunistic crimes against homes and cars are the most frequent threats to local assets. For homeowners, this means that while the overall risk is low, ensuring that physical boundaries and vehicles are well-protected remains essential to maintaining the area's high safety standards.

The crime trend in Dunton is currently on an upward trajectory, with a 19.0% increase in total offences compared to the previous year. This rise is notable for a small community, though it is important to contextualise this within the area's overall low crime volume. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a fluctuating pattern.

The safest months were June, August, and September 2025, where the crime rate dropped to its lowest point of 1.8 per 1,000 residents. Conversely, the area saw significant spikes in May 2025 (7.1) and October 2025 (6.2). These peaks suggest that crime in Dunton may be intermittent rather than a constant presence. For residents, this trend indicates that while the area remains fundamentally safe, there has been a recent increase in activity that warrants improved security awareness and a more proactive approach to property protection.

How To Keep Safe in Dunton

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type in Dunton. While the overall number of incidents remains low, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone during the evening or night.

To enhance your personal safety, consider the following advice:

• Stick to well-lit, familiar routes when walking through the village at night and avoid taking shortcuts through unlit alleys or fields.
• Carry a personal safety alarm and ensure your mobile phone is fully charged before leaving home.
• If you feel uncomfortable or followed, head towards a busy area or a house with lights on and do not hesitate to call for assistance.
• Report any suspicious behaviour or persistent anti-social behaviour to the local authorities, as early intervention can prevent more serious incidents.
• When using local transport or parking, try to stay in areas with good visibility and pedestrian traffic.

Crime in Dunton follows distinct temporal patterns, with different offences peaking at various times of the day. The afternoon period, between 12pm and 6pm, is the most significant window for burglary, which accounts for 46% of all crimes during these hours. This suggests that properties are being targeted while residents are likely away from home.

As the day transitions into the night, the focus shifts toward vehicle crime. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle-related offences make up a staggering 50% of all local activity. Interestingly, theft offences are most frequent during the morning and afternoon hours, each accounting for 34% of the crimes in those periods. Evening hours see a high concentration of burglary (41%) and vehicle crime (28%). These patterns indicate that while daytime hours pose a risk to the home, the late-night hours are when vehicles are most vulnerable to opportunistic thieves.

When examining the wider region, Dunton compares very favourably to larger nearby settlements like Biggleswade, which has a higher crime rate of 59.8 per 1,000 people. It also remains slightly safer than Potton, where the rate is 46.6. However, it does not match the near-zero crime figures of its more rural neighbours, Wrestlingworth and Guilden Morden, both of which recorded 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. This positioning highlights Dunton as a peaceful village that sits between the ultra-low crime rates of the smallest hamlets and the higher activity levels of the local market towns. For those seeking a balance between accessibility and safety, Dunton offers a robust safety profile compared to the regional average.

With a property crime rate of 22.1 per 1,000 residents, Dunton homeowners face a lower-than-average risk, yet burglary and vehicle crime remain the primary local threats. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, often fail because they are reactive; they provide evidence after a crime has been committed but do little to stop it. In a quiet area like Dunton, the most effective protection is proactive.

An AI-powered operating system like scOS changes the dynamic by identifying threats at the property boundary. By using multi-camera intelligence to recognise routines and distinguish between a delivery driver and a potential intruder, scOS can intervene before a break-in occurs. Features like autonomous responses—where lights and speakers activate instantly upon detecting a threat—destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Dunton residents, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to maintain the security of their homes and vehicles against opportunistic crime.