Central Bedfordshire Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Central Bedfordshire’s crime rate in November 2024 stood at 5.0 per 1,000 residents, 34.2% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s consistently lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks, a trend that has persisted despite seasonal fluctuations. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 33% of all reported crimes, though they were 38% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, at 17.3% of total crimes, also significantly below the national rate. The seasonal context of November—marked by Bonfire Night and the start of Black Friday shopping—likely influenced patterns, with increased foot traffic in retail areas potentially contributing to higher shoplifting rates, though this category remained 13% below the UK average. The area’s rural and suburban character, combined with its status as a commuter belt, may explain the relatively low levels of vehicle crime and burglary compared to more densely populated regions. However, the spike in bicycle theft and weapons possession highlights vulnerabilities that require targeted attention. These shifts suggest a combination of local demographics and seasonal activity, with the lower crime rate offering a degree of reassurance to residents while underscoring the need for continued vigilance in specific areas.

November 2024 marked a sharp increase in bicycle theft, rising by 66.7% from 6 to 10 incidents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, may reflect heightened activity during Black Friday shopping or changes in local cycling patterns. Concurrently, possession of weapons rose by 66.7%, from 9 to 15 cases, a figure that exceeds the UK average by 67%. This anomaly deserves closer attention, as it diverges from the area’s typical low rates of weapons-related crime. Meanwhile, drug-related incidents increased by 50.0%, from 26 to 39, though this remains below the UK average by 62%. The decrease in robbery by 42.9% (from 14 to 8) and public order offences by 32.1% (from 134 to 91) suggests some success in addressing targeted issues. These shifts highlight the need for vigilance in specific areas, such as ensuring secure storage of bicycles and maintaining awareness of local drug activity patterns.

Central Bedfordshire's crime rate in November 2024 fell by 8.1% compared to the previous month, dropping from 5.4 to 5.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with broader seasonal trends, as darker evenings and reduced foot traffic in shopping areas may contribute to lower reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 52 crimes per day in November, a figure that reflects the local rhythm of activity without overgeneralising to broader UK patterns. When considering the monthly exposure, one crime occurred for every 201 residents over the course of November, a statistic that contextualises risk in terms of population density and local demographics. This rate is lower than the UK average, though the daily figure provides a more immediate sense of localised activity. The population context reinforces that Central Bedfordshire’s crime profile remains distinct, with lower rates of property crime and violent incidents compared to national averages, despite the recent uptick in specific categories.