Shefford Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Shefford records an overall crime rate of 87.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing it below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town maintains a Safety Score of 83 out of 100. Notably, the crime trend is decreasing, having seen a significant year-over-year reduction of -22.3%. This substantial decline suggests a strong positive shift in the local safety environment. However, the high volume of shoplifting, which is the most frequent offence, means that while the overall rate is improving, specific commercial vulnerabilities persist.

Crime Type Analysis

Shefford records a high overall crime rate of 87.8 per 1,000 residents, which is primarily driven by an unusually high volume of retail theft. Shoplifting is the dominant crime type, accounting for 30.6% of all incidents, at a rate of 26.9 per 1,000 people. This is followed by Violence and sexual offences at 22.8% (20.0 per 1,000) and Anti-social behaviour (ASB) at 17.2% (15.1 per 1,000).

Shefford’s overall property crime rate is high, standing at 43.7 per 1,000 people, significantly exceeding the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This rate is heavily inflated by the exceptional volume of shoplifting. Other property crimes include Vehicle crime (7.4%), Other theft (5.2%), and Criminal damage (4.1%). The sheer dominance of shoplifting indicates that local businesses are the primary target for crime, while the high overall property rate means residents must also remain vigilant about vehicle and residential security.

Shefford Crime Trend Analysis

Shefford is experiencing a significant positive trend, with the crime rate classified as decreasing, marked by a substantial year-over-year reduction of -22.3%. This strong decline indicates a major improvement in the local safety environment and a sustained reduction in the overall volume of crime.

The monthly trend data shows high volatility, likely due to the concentrated nature of shoplifting. The rate was exceptionally high in November (13.6 per 1,000), followed by a steep drop into the new year, reaching a low of 4.9 per 1,000 in March. Rates then stabilised around 5.2 to 7.4 per 1,000 during the summer and autumn. The positive annual change suggests that despite the high peaks in certain months, overall crime has been successfully lowered.

How To Keep Safe in Shefford

The most frequent crime type in Shefford is Shoplifting, accounting for over 30% of all incidents. Addressing this requires a strong focus on commercial and personal property security.

1. Commercial Security: Local businesses must invest heavily in robust anti-theft measures, including secure displays, visible CCTV, and trained staff, to combat the high volume of shoplifting.
2. Vehicle Security: Given the high rate of Vehicle crime, ensure your vehicle is always locked and that keyless entry fobs are stored securely, preventing relay attacks. Use mechanical locks as visible deterrents.
3. Vigilance in Town Centre: Be highly aware of your surroundings in commercial areas. Shoppers should secure bags and valuables to prevent opportunistic theft from the person.
4. Personal Safety: Despite the focus on property, Violence is the second highest crime. Exercise caution when walking alone at night, particularly in and around the town centre where social activity is concentrated.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Shefford’s crime patterns are heavily influenced by retail activity and late-night vehicle targeting. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) is the peak time for theft-related offences, accounting for 50% of crimes, which is primarily driven by shoplifting during busy commercial hours. The morning hours (6am to 12pm) also see high theft and vehicle crime activity. In the evening (6pm to 12am), Vehicle crime and 'Other' crimes (including violence/ASB) become dominant. Crucially, the night period (12am to 6am) is overwhelmingly dominated by Vehicle crime, which accounts for 68% of the low volume of offences that occur overnight, indicating focused targeting of unattended vehicles.

Regional Crime Context

Shefford’s crime rate of 87.8 per 1,000 places it among the higher-volume crime areas in Central Bedfordshire, largely due to its concentrated commercial activity. Its rate is significantly higher than nearby settlements like Campton (0.0 per 1,000), Chicksands (45.5 per 1,000), Clifton (Central Bedfordshire) (50.5 per 1,000), and Meppershall (50.5 per 1,000). This comparison highlights the unique challenge Shefford faces, where a high concentration of retail theft elevates the overall crime figures compared to its immediate, more residential neighbours. Residents should be aware of the elevated risk profile, particularly concerning property and retail crime.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

Shefford’s property crime rate is high at 43.7 per 1,000, significantly exceeding the UK average, primarily due to the volume of shoplifting. While commercial premises are the main target, this high acquisitive crime rate requires residents to secure their homes proactively. Reactive security, such as standard cameras, only captures footage of a burglary or vehicle theft after it has happened, offering minimal value in preventing the loss.

For reliable defence, proactive, AI-powered systems like scOS are necessary. These solutions use multi-camera intelligence to establish a secure perimeter, detecting threats instantly. The system can then initiate an autonomous response—like lights or audio warnings—to deter the criminal before they breach the property. This visible, professional-grade deterrence is vital in an area with high acquisitive crime, forcing potential intruders to move on within the crucial 60-second window, thus preventing the crime entirely.