Bourton-on-the-Water Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Bourton-on-the-Water during October 2023 reveals a distinct pattern shaped by the area's character as a small, picturesque village within the Cotswold region. With a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents—51.2% below the UK average—the area remains significantly safer than the national average. The balance of crime types highlights a focus on personal safety issues, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 43.5% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (13.0%) and anti-social behaviour (13.0%). This mix contrasts with the UK average, where property crimes and theft dominate. The seasonal context of October, with darker evenings and the approach of Halloween, may partly explain the higher proportion of violent and disorderly incidents compared to property-related crimes. The low rate of shoplifting and vehicle crime—each 62-66% below the UK average—aligns with the area's rural character and limited retail presence. The absence of significant property crime suggests that the village's small population and lower density of commercial spaces contribute to this profile. While direct links, the seasonal transition and reduced daylight hours could influence patterns of outdoor activity and interpersonal interactions, contributing to the rise in violent and anti-social incidents. This crime mix underscores Bourton-on-the-Water's position as a low-crime, community-focused area where personal safety remains a primary concern.

October 2023 saw a marked shift in crime trends, with violence and sexual offences surging by 150% compared to the previous month, while criminal damage and arson, and anti-social behaviour each doubled. This increase in violent and disorderly incidents contrasts with the overall low crime rate, which remains 51.2% below the UK average. The dominance of violence and sexual offences—accounting for 43.5% of all crimes—suggests a focus on personal safety issues, with this category itself 37% below the UK average. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting and vehicle crime remained exceptionally low, with shoplifting at 66% below the UK average. For residents, the daily crime count of roughly 1 incident per day offers a concrete measure of risk, though the overall low volume indicates a generally secure environment. The significant rise in anti-social behaviour, now at 0.5 per 1,000 residents, may reflect seasonal factors such as Halloween activities or increased social gatherings in the village. While causation, the month-on-month changes highlight the dynamic nature of crime patterns in this area, with violent incidents rising sharply alongside disorderly conduct. This shift in crime mix underscores the importance of community vigilance and local initiatives to address emerging concerns.

The crime rate in Bourton-on-the-Water rose from 1.9 per 1,000 in September 2023 to 3.9 per 1,000 in October, marking a 109.7% increase over the previous month. Despite this upward trend, the area remains significantly safer than the UK average, which stands at 8.0 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the village experienced approximately 1 reported crime per day in October, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure of 1 in 258 residents. This ratio provides context for local residents, illustrating that the likelihood of encountering crime remains very low compared to the national average. When scaled to the area's population of 5,933, the monthly exposure figure highlights the rarity of crime in Bourton-on-the-Water, even with the recent increases. The previous month's rate of 1.9 per 1,000 suggests that the October figures represent a temporary fluctuation rather than a sustained trend. This comparative perspective reinforces the area's status as a low-crime environment, where the most common crimes—violence and sexual offences—still occur at rates 37% below the UK average. The contrast between the local and national statistics underscores the unique characteristics of this rural Cotswold village, where community cohesion and limited urban density likely contribute to the overall safety profile.