Flitwick Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 11,328 residents, 54 crimes reported in October 2024 equate to a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 people — 40.7% below the UK average of 8.1. This rate translates to one reported crime for every 210 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises the scale of crime in a way that aligns with the area’s character as a small built-up area within Central Bedfordshire. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (24.1% of total), followed by vehicle crime (16.7%) and public order offences (16.7%). These patterns may reflect the area’s proximity to larger urban centres, where vehicle crime is more common due to commuter traffic, while violence and sexual offences could be linked to local social dynamics. October’s seasonal context — shorter daylight hours and the Halloween period — likely contributed to fluctuations in certain crime types. The overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, a trend consistent with other small built-up areas in rural counties where community cohesion and lower population density often correlate with reduced crime rates.

October 2024 saw dramatic month-on-month changes in specific crime categories. Public order offences surged by 800%, rising from 1 to 9 incidents, a shift that may be partly explained by Halloween-related activities and the darker evenings typical of the month. Similarly, criminal damage and arson doubled from 1 to 2 cases, while robbery increased from 0 to 1. These spikes contrast sharply with declines in burglary (-83.3%), anti-social behaviour (-46.2%), and other theft (-42.9%). The violent crime category, which accounts for 24.1% of total crimes, remains 55% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.7 per 1,000). Vehicle crime, however, is 70% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a disparity that may reflect the area’s connectivity to major roads or commuter routes. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences is a concrete data point that could inform local safety planning, particularly around community events in October.

The crime rate in October 2024 (4.8 per 1,000) represents a 5.2% decrease from September’s rate of 5.0, continuing a downward trend that has likely been influenced by seasonal factors. On a daily basis, Flitwick experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in October, a figure that provides a tangible sense of the pace of criminal activity in the area. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure of one crime per 210 residents offers a perspective that is particularly meaningful for local residents — it means that, on average, a Flitwick resident has a 1-in-210 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime during the month. This monthly ratio is significantly lower than the UK average, which aligns with the area’s status as a small built-up area rather than a major urban centre. The comparison also highlights the importance of population size in interpreting crime statistics: while 54 crimes may seem high in absolute terms, the low population density ensures that the rate remains well below national benchmarks. This context is crucial for residents seeking to understand the relative safety of their community compared to broader UK trends.