Houghton Regis Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Houghton Regis reports an overall crime rate of 107.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, which is above the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. This results in a Safety Score of 74 out of 100, placing it among the lower-rated areas in Central Bedfordshire. Positively, the crime trend is decreasing, showing a notable year-over-year reduction of -7.7%. While the volume of crime is high, this downward trend suggests recent improvements in the local safety environment. The prevalence of violence and anti-social behaviour necessitates a close examination of the specific crime breakdown.

Crime Type Analysis

Houghton Regis records a high overall crime rate of 107.7 per 1,000, placing it above the national average. The crime profile is heavily skewed towards social and public order issues. Violence and sexual offences is the overwhelmingly dominant category, accounting for 38.7% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 41.6 per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 19.5% (21.0 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Criminal damage and arson, representing 7.2% of the total (7.7 per 1,000).

The town’s overall property crime rate is 32.0 per 1,000 people, just marginally below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This rate includes Vehicle crime (5.8%), Other theft (6.0%), and Burglary (3.7%). The high incidence of Violence and ASB, combined with a property crime rate close to the national benchmark, indicates significant challenges related to public safety and ensuring secure residential and commercial environments. Residents should be particularly cautious regarding public order issues.

Houghton Regis Crime Trend Analysis

Houghton Regis is experiencing a positive trend, with crime classified as decreasing, marked by a significant year-over-year reduction of -7.7%. This notable decline suggests effective interventions or a shift in criminal activity, contributing to an overall improvement in safety despite the high base rate.

However, the monthly trend data shows that the rate remains volatile. The lowest month was February (7.0 per 1,000), but the rate spiked in June (10.0 per 1,000), August (10.3 per 1,000), and October (10.3 per 1,000). The repeated high peaks in the latter half of the year indicate that while the annual comparison is favourable, residents must remain vigilant, particularly during the summer and autumn months when crime volume tends to be highest.

How To Keep Safe in Houghton Regis

The most prevalent crime type in Houghton Regis is Violence and sexual offences, which accounts for nearly 40% of all reported incidents. Addressing this requires a focus on personal safety and situational awareness.

1. Prioritise Personal Security: Given the high rate of violence, avoid walking alone in poorly lit or isolated areas, especially late at night. Plan your travel carefully and use secure transport options.
2. Report Disorder: Anti-social behaviour is the second most common crime. Promptly reporting instances of public nuisance helps law enforcement tackle underlying issues that can lead to more serious violence and criminal damage.
3. Secure Vehicles and Property: Criminal damage and arson is the third most frequent crime. Ensure vehicles are parked securely and that outside areas are free of flammable materials. Consider motion-activated lighting to deter late-night vandalism.
4. Community Vigilance: Work with neighbours to establish a visible community presence. The high crime volume suggests that collective awareness and reporting are crucial for improving overall safety.

Hourly Crime Patterns

The time distribution of crime in Houghton Regis reveals that activity is heightened during daylight and evening hours. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) is the busiest for theft-related offences, accounting for 46% of crimes, coinciding with peak commercial activity. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) also show significant theft and vehicle crime. In the evening (6pm to 12am), the focus shifts dramatically, with 'Other' crimes, including violence and public order offences, dominating 46% of all incidents, consistent with increased social activity. The night period (12am to 6am) sees Vehicle crime become the most common offence, making up 46% of the low volume of incidents that occur overnight.

Regional Crime Context

Houghton Regis’s high crime rate of 107.7 per 1,000 makes it one of the higher-risk areas in the Central Bedfordshire region. This rate is significantly higher than its neighbour Dunstable, which records 84.1 per 1,000. It stands in stark contrast to the nearby rural settlements of Chalton, Tebworth, and Tilsworth, which report rates of 0.0 per 1,000. This comparison highlights the concentrated urban challenges faced by Houghton Regis, positioning it as a distinct hotspot for crime activity relative to the surrounding, more rural parts of the local authority. Residents should be aware of this local context when considering safety.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

Given the property crime rate of 32.0 per 1,000 in Houghton Regis—a figure close to the UK average—robust security is essential. Relying on traditional, reactive security tools like conventional cameras means simply recording a crime, such as a burglary or vehicle theft, after the fact. This provides evidence but fails to prevent the loss or intrusion.

To achieve superior protection, residents should consider proactive, AI-powered systems like scOS. These systems detect potential intruders at the property boundary, using multi-camera intelligence to monitor simultaneously and distinguish between routine and threat. The system can then initiate an autonomous response—like activating deterrents—to eliminate the element of surprise. This immediate intervention is vital, as a professional-grade, visible deterrent often convinces criminals to move on within the critical 60 seconds, preventing the crime before it escalates.