Houghton Regis Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Houghton Regis’ crime rate in May 2024 was 10.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 23.8% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s elevated crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 32.0% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (26.7%) and vehicle crime (13.6%). These categories suggest a combination of social and environmental factors, with anti-social behaviour being 93% above the UK average, a striking outlier. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings and bank holidays—likely influenced patterns of outdoor activity, potentially contributing to the rise in public order offences and violence. While the overall rate remains concerning, the data also reveals some areas of relative strength: criminal damage and arson were 3% below the UK average, and shoplifting fell sharply by 90.9% compared to the previous month. This contrast highlights the dynamic nature of crime in the area, shaped by both local conditions and broader national trends. The elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime may reflect the built-up nature of the area, with high foot traffic and road networks creating opportunities for such incidents. However, the significant drop in shoplifting could indicate the effectiveness of local retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer behaviour.

May 2024 saw a 100% increase in public order offences, rising from seven to 14 incidents. This sharp rise contrasts with a 36.8% drop in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 87 to 55 cases. The category of vehicle crime remained 198% above the UK average at 1.4 per 1,000, likely reflecting the area’s road infrastructure and commuter traffic. Shoplifting dropped by 90.9% compared to April, with just one incident reported in May. This decline may indicate the impact of seasonal retail patterns or targeted local interventions. Meanwhile, the rate of violence and sexual offences (3.3 per 1,000) was 16% above the UK average, suggesting a persistent challenge in this category. Residents may find the 100% increase in possession of weapons (from zero to one incident) particularly concerning, as it highlights a rare but significant shift in criminal activity.

Houghton Regis' crime rate in May 2024 stood at 10.4 per 1,000 residents, a 10.0% decrease from the previous month's 11.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal trend, as longer evenings and bank holidays in May may have shifted social patterns, potentially reducing opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of seven reported crimes each day, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity in this built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 96 residents, highlighting the density of incidents relative to the population. While this monthly exposure rate remains higher than the UK average, the 10% month-on-month reduction suggests fluctuating dynamics influenced by local rhythms such as community events or changes in policing focus. The population context also reveals that, despite the higher-than-average rate, the absolute number of crimes (206) is manageable within the area’s scale, with no single category dominating the overall picture.