Central Bedfordshire Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Central Bedfordshire's crime profile in July 2023, accounting for 30.8% of all reported crimes. This category, which includes assault, sexual assault, and related offences, recorded 511 incidents at a rate of 1.6 per 1,000 residents—42% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. The area's overall crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents placed it 36.1% below the national average of 8.3 per 1,000, a gap that reflects both effective policing and the area's demographic characteristics. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 24.7% of total crimes, with 409 incidents recorded. These figures align with the seasonal context of July, a month marked by extended daylight, school holidays, and increased tourism, all of which may contribute to higher visibility of public disputes and disorder. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, property crimes such as criminal damage and arson accounted for 8.3% of incidents, a rate 38% below the UK average. This lower property crime rate may be partly explained by the area's relatively low population density and the distribution of residential properties across multiple towns, which could limit opportunities for burglary and other targeted offences. The data also highlights the significance of local events and festivals in shaping crime patterns, with the summer season likely amplifying both opportunities for violent incidents and the presence of law enforcement to mitigate them.

July witnessed a 39.1% increase in 'other crime' incidents, rising from 23 to 32 cases. This category, which includes non-specific offences not falling into primary classifications, saw the most dramatic upward shift among all categories. Concurrently, robbery incidents climbed by 22.2%, moving from 9 to 11 cases, a rise that may reflect heightened activity during the summer tourist season. In contrast, possession of weapons fell by 29.4%, declining from 17 to 12 cases, possibly linked to increased police patrols during public events. Public order offences also dropped by 17.6%, from 125 to 103, a decrease consistent with the seasonal shift towards more controlled environments in July. Violence and sexual offences remained 42% below the UK average, at 1.6 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour incidents stood 8% below the national benchmark. These fluctuations underscore the dynamic nature of crime patterns in the area, with certain categories showing clear responsiveness to seasonal and event-driven factors.

Central Bedfordshire's crime rate in July 2023 fell to 5.3 per 1,000 residents, a 4.4% decrease from June's 5.5 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends, where summer months often see reduced property crime due to fewer residents being at home. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 53 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 191 residents, a rate that places the area among the safer local authority districts in England. When compared to the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000, Central Bedfordshire's performance remains lower, though the gap has narrowed slightly from earlier in the year. This monthly exposure metric offers a tangible sense of risk for individuals living or working in the area, highlighting that most residents are unlikely to experience crime during any given month.