Stotfold Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics

Stotfold records a very low overall crime rate of 49.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, positioning it substantially below the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town is rated highly for safety, achieving a 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 -3.1%. This stable, low-crime environment is highly favourable for residents. However, the high proportion of violence and anti-social behaviour necessitates a closer look at the specific crime breakdown.

Crime Type Analysis

Stotfold benefits from a very low overall crime rate of 49.6 per 1,000. The crime profile is heavily dominated by social and public safety offences. The most frequent category is Violence and sexual offences, which represents a significant 45.3% of all reported crimes, equating to 22.4 per 1,000 people. This high percentage suggests that while the overall volume of crime is low, a large proportion of incidents are serious and personal in nature. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is the second highest category at 21.8% (10.8 per 1,000). The third most common offence is Public order, accounting for 7.0% of the total.

Crucially, Stotfold’s property crime rate is exceptionally low, standing at just 10.3 per 1,000 people, far below the UK average of 32.9 per 1,000. This low figure is supported by very low rates across all property categories, including Burglary (1.9%) and Vehicle crime (3.9%). The primary safety concern for residents is therefore focused on personal safety and public order issues, rather than acquisitive property crime.

Stotfold Crime Trend Analysis

Stotfold’s crime trend is stable, recording a minor year-over-year decrease of -3.1%. This suggests that the overall low volume of crime has remained consistent over the last 12 months, without any major shifts in activity.

The monthly trend data shows typical fluctuation, with the lowest rates recorded in November (3.0 per 1,000) and September (3.2 per 1,000). Activity generally increased in the new year, reaching a minor peak in January (5.1 per 1,000), February (4.9 per 1,000), and March (5.1 per 1,000). A further peak was observed in October (5.2 per 1,000). These slight winter peaks contrast with the lower rates seen in the late spring and summer. Residents can take assurance from the overall stability of the trend.

How To Keep Safe in Stotfold

The most prevalent crime type in Stotfold is Violence and sexual offences, accounting for almost half of all incidents. While the overall crime volume is low, residents should prioritise personal safety in public settings.

1. Personal Security Awareness: Given the high percentage of violence, be highly aware of your surroundings, especially during evenings and late nights. Avoid walking alone where possible, particularly in areas prone to Anti-social behaviour.
2. Report Public Order Issues: Public order offences are the third most common category. Report any signs of disorder or escalating tension to the police immediately to prevent a situation from devolving into violence.
3. Secure Valuables: Although property crime is low, opportunistic theft can occur. Ensure valuables are not left visible in vehicles or gardens, and secure sheds and outbuildings, especially near public footpaths.
4. Community Focus: Utilise local neighbourhood watch schemes and community groups to share information about suspicious activity, focusing on prevention of anti-social behaviour and minor disturbances.

Hourly Crime Patterns

Crime activity in Stotfold is predominantly concentrated during daytime and evening hours. The afternoon period (12pm to 6pm) is the busiest for theft-related offences, accounting for 55% of reported property crimes, likely due to commercial activity. In the evening (6pm to 12am), there is a significant shift toward 'Other' crimes, which generally include violence and anti-social behaviour, dominating nearly half of all incidents during these social hours. The morning period (6am to 12pm) also sees elevated theft activity. Crime volume is lowest overnight, although Vehicle crime still represents a substantial 43% of the few offences that occur between midnight and 6am.

Regional Crime Context

Stotfold’s crime rate of 49.6 per 1,000 establishes it as one of the safest urban settlements in the region. This rate is lower than that of its immediate neighbours, including Arlesey (61.9 per 1,000) and Henlow (54.3 per 1,000). When compared to nearby settlements in Hertfordshire, Stotfold maintains a significantly lower rate than both Letchworth (86.6 per 1,000) and Baldock (84.4 per 1,000). This comparison reinforces Stotfold's position as a low-risk area, particularly in terms of volume, offering a notably safer environment than most comparable towns in the wider vicinity.

Proactive Home Protection Strategies

With Stotfold's property crime rate being exceptionally low at 10.3 per 1,000, the focus of security shifts from general crime prevention to absolute deterrence against rare incidents. Traditional security measures that merely record an event are inadequate when the goal is to prevent any intrusion or loss.

For residents seeking the highest level of assurance, proactive systems using scOS technology are highly effective. These AI-powered systems monitor the property perimeter using multi-camera intelligence, identifying threats before they escalate. By providing an autonomous response—such as lights or audio engagement—scOS destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. This professional-grade deterrence signals to potential intruders that the property is seriously protected, making them move on within the crucial 60-second decision window. This is the difference between recording a crime and preventing it entirely.