Marston Moretaine Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Marston Moretaine’s crime rate in August 2023 was 4.4 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000—45.7% below. This performance highlights the area’s consistent safety record, though the small population of 5,504 means that even minor fluctuations can have noticeable impacts. The most common crimes in August were violence and sexual offences (5 cases, 20.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (4 cases, 16.7%) and criminal damage and arson (3 cases, 12.5%). These figures suggest that personal safety and community disorder remain focal concerns, even as the area outperforms national benchmarks. August, a peak holiday month, may have influenced crime patterns: while empty homes could have increased burglary risk, the data shows no such spike in property crime. Instead, the low rate of burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and other theft (0.4 per 1,000) indicates effective local measures or a naturally lower risk profile. The balance between property and violent crime in August mirrors broader UK trends, with property crimes dominating. However, Marston Moretaine’s rates for violence and sexual offences are 66% below the UK average, suggesting that community policing or demographic factors—such as the area’s relatively older population—may play a role. Seasonal factors, including reduced school activity and summer travel, likely contributed to the overall crime reduction, though the exact mechanisms remain to be explored. The area’s performance in August underscores its position as a relatively safe built-up area within Central Bedfordshire, where targeted efforts and environmental factors likely contribute to sustained low crime rates.

August 2023 marked a sharp decline in violent crime, with violence and sexual offences dropping by 72.2% compared to July, from 18 to 5 incidents. This reduction may be linked to the summer holidays, which typically see fewer people in public spaces during the day. Conversely, vehicle crime surged by 200%, rising from one to three incidents—a rate slightly above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. The increase in drug-related offences, doubling from zero to two cases, suggests a need for further local monitoring. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 50% reduction, with four incidents reported in August, though this remains 51% below the UK average. The crime mix in Marston Moretaine continues to skew heavily towards property crimes, which accounted for half of all incidents. Shoplifting and criminal damage and arson both maintained rates identical to or near the UK average, illustrating a balance between local-specific and national trends.

August 2023 saw a 22.6% decline in Marston Moretaine’s crime rate compared to the previous month, dropping from 5.6 to 4.4 per 1,000 residents. This downward trend aligns with seasonal patterns, as August is typically a period of reduced foot traffic in public spaces due to school holidays and summer vacations. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately one crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects the small population of 5,504 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 229 residents, a metric that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a built-up area within Central Bedfordshire. When contextualised against the local population, the 24 total crimes reported in August represent a manageable burden for community policing and local services. The decrease in violent crime and public order offences compared to July suggests that temporary factors—such as the closure of schools or reduced commercial activity during August—may have contributed to the overall reduction in crime. However, the slight increase in vehicle crime and drug-related incidents highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific areas.