Marston Moretaine Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Marston Moretaine reports an overall crime rate of 57.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it substantially below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town benefits from a high Safety Score of 88 out of 100. Analysis of the latest data shows that the crime trend is stable, having experienced a minor year-over-year decrease of -4.2%. This stable, low-crime environment is highly favourable for residents. However, the high proportion of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting still warrants attention.

Crime Type Analysis

Marston Moretaine records an overall crime rate of 57.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it well below the national average. The crime profile is dominated by social and public safety offences. Violence and sexual offences is the most frequent category, accounting for 29.0% of all reported crimes, or 16.7 incidents per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 23.7% (13.6 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Shoplifting, representing 12.6% of the total, indicating a specific vulnerability to retail theft.

The town’s overall property crime rate is low, standing at 20.4 per 1,000 people, significantly below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This rate includes Vehicle crime (7.3%), Criminal damage (5.7%), and Burglary (2.5%). The high proportion of Shoplifting suggests that while residential property is relatively secure, commercial premises are a primary target. Residents should focus on personal security due to violence and ASB, and commercial security due to retail theft.

Marston Moretaine Crime Trend Analysis

Marston Moretaine’s crime trend is classified as stable, having recorded a minor year-over-year decrease of -4.2%. This suggests that the overall low volume of crime has remained consistent over the last 12 months, without any major positive or negative shifts.

The monthly trend data shows rates generally fluctuating between 3.5 and 6.5 per 1,000. The lowest rate was recorded in November (2.7 per 1,000). Activity saw a peak in January (6.4 per 1,000) and again in July (6.5 per 1,000), suggesting minor seasonal increases in the winter and summer months. Despite these small fluctuations, the overall stability and low volume of crime reinforce the town's positive safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Marston Moretaine

The most frequent crime type in Marston Moretaine is Violence and sexual offences. However, Shoplifting is the third most common offence and requires specific attention from residents and businesses.

1. Commercial Security: Local businesses must invest in robust security measures to deter shoplifters, which account for over 12% of all crime. Secure displays, visible CCTV, and staff vigilance are paramount.
2. Vehicle Security: Given that Vehicle crime is a notable threat, always secure your vehicle, and avoid leaving any valuables visible. Consider using mechanical deterrents in addition to manufacturer alarms.
3. Community Reporting: Anti-social behaviour is the second most common crime. Promptly report instances of public nuisance to the police to prevent escalation and maintain public order.
4. Personal Safety: Maintain situational awareness when walking alone late at night, particularly in and around the town centre, to mitigate the risk from Violence and public order offences.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Crime activity in Marston Moretaine is concentrated during the afternoon and evening hours. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) sees the highest percentage of theft-related offences (54%), largely driven by shoplifting and opportunistic theft during peak commercial times. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) are also active for theft. In the evening (6pm to 12am), 'Other' crimes, which typically include violence and anti-social behaviour, dominate 38% of incidents, while Vehicle crime is also high. During the night (12am to 6am), Vehicle crime becomes the most pressing issue, accounting for 57% of the low volume of incidents that occur overnight.

Regional Crime Context

Marston Moretaine’s crime rate of 57.6 per 1,000 is higher than some of its immediate neighbours, but remains below the national average. It is slightly higher than Lidlington (48.5 per 1,000) and significantly higher than Wootton (Bedford) (29.9 per 1,000). The rate is comparable to Stewartby (60.5 per 1,000). Compared to the small settlement of Kempston Hardwick (0.0 per 1,000), the difference is expected. Marston Moretaine sits in the middle of its local cluster, offering a generally safe environment, though with a higher volume of incidents than the surrounding villages.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With a low property crime rate of 20.4 per 1,000 in Marston Moretaine, residents should focus their security investment on absolute prevention. Traditional, reactive security, such as recording cameras, can only provide footage of a theft or burglary after the event, failing to prevent the loss in the first place.

For superior security, proactive, AI-powered systems are recommended. scOS technology uses multi-camera intelligence to constantly monitor the property perimeter, instantly distinguishing between routine activity and a genuine threat. This allows for an autonomous response—such as engaging lights and audio warnings—to destroy the element of surprise. Given the prevalence of Shoplifting in the area, a highly visible, professional-grade deterrent is crucial for securing both residential and local commercial properties, forcing potential criminals to move on within the critical 60-second window.