Shefford Crime Rate

Shefford is a safe and well-established town with an overall crime rate of 75.3 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average of 91.6, earning the town a strong safety score of 84/100. Most notably, the recent crime trend is decreasing significantly, with a 38.2% reduction year-over-year. This downward trajectory is an excellent indicator of the town's rapidly improving safety profile. While Shefford experiences challenges with shoplifting and vehicle crime, its safety profile is notably positive compared to many other towns of a similar size. Residents can take confidence in this stable and encouraging safety data as the town continues to be a popular choice for families and professionals.

In Shefford, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting are the most frequent crimes, each accounting for 25.5% of the total with 148 incidents each. Anti-social behaviour follows at 16.4%, and vehicle crime is the third most common at 8.8%. These figures are typical for a busy residential town with an active retail sector and a significant community life.

Property crime in Shefford has a rate of 35.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 32.2. This category includes shoplifting (148), vehicle crime (51), other theft (28), criminal damage (32), and burglary (7). This property crime rate means that approximately 1 in 28 residents may experience a property-related offence each year. Shoplifting stands out as the primary property concern, reflecting the town's role as a local shopping hub. Vehicle crime is also a significant concern at 6.6 per 1,000, while burglary rates are very low at 0.9 per 1,000. The volume of property-related offences indicates that vehicle and commercial security should be a key priority for local residents and businesses.

The crime trend in Shefford is currently decreasing significantly, with a notable 38.2% drop in total crimes compared to the previous year. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated between 3.4 and 10.1 per 1,000 people. The highest rates were recorded in February (10.1) and January (7.5), while the lowest occurred in December (3.4) and March (4.9). This overall downward trend, despite minor monthly variations, indicates that crime levels are being managed effectively. For residents, this decreasing trend means that the risk environment is improving significantly, providing a much more secure setting for personal and property planning.

How To Keep Safe in Shefford

With violence and sexual offences and shoplifting being the most common crime types in Shefford, personal safety and commercial awareness are important. The town's busy centre and residential areas require a proactive approach to staying safe, especially during peak activity hours.

1. When out in the town centre, especially during evening hours, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
2. If you use public transport, especially late at night, try to wait in well-populated areas or under CCTV coverage.
3. Be mindful of your personal belongings in busy shopping areas and high-footfall locations to prevent opportunistic theft.
4. If you are a business owner, consider implementing advanced retail security measures to deter shoplifting in the town centre.
5. In residential areas, join a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about local safety issues and to help build a more vigilant community.

Crime in Shefford follows distinct temporal patterns that reflect its role as a busy residential and retail town. The morning hours are characterised by vehicle crime (37%) and theft (36%), while the afternoon sees a peak in shoplifting and other theft-related offences (50%). In the evening, the focus shifts towards 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 38% of incidents. At night, vehicle crime becomes the most significant risk, rising to 70% of all offences between midnight and 6am. Burglary also remains a minor threat in the afternoon (8%) and night/evening (6% each). These patterns suggest that while daytime vigilance is needed for retail theft, night-time security should focus heavily on vehicle protection.

Shefford serves as a significant residential hub for its surrounding area, and its crime rate of 75.3 per 1,000 reflects this role. In comparison, nearby villages like Campton reported a crime rate of 0.0, while Clifton (48.5), Chicksands (49.9), and Meppershall (50.5) all have lower rates. This disparity is common between a busy town and the quieter rural settlements that surround it. For those living in the region, Shefford offers the most amenities and activity, but this comes with the higher crime levels typical of an urban centre, whereas neighbouring villages provide a much quieter safety profile.

In an area like Shefford, where vehicle crime and shoplifting are the most prominent property-related offences, homeowners and businesses should focus on proactive security. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, recording an event after it has already occurred. scOS offers a more effective alternative by using AI to detect potential threats at your property's boundary. Its autonomous response features, such as activating floodlights or voice alerts, can deter a criminal before they even reach your vehicle or home. For Shefford residents, especially those with high-value vehicles, scOS provides a sophisticated and preventative way to safeguard their property, ensuring it remains a safe haven in an already secure town.