Bourton-on-the-Water Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 saw Bourton-on-the-Water maintain its position as one of the UK’s safest communities, with a crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents—64.6% below the national average of 8.2. This low rate reflects the area’s character as a rural tourist destination with a compact built-up area, where the absence of major industrial or commercial hubs limits opportunities for certain crimes. The most common offences were violence and sexual offences (35.3% of total crimes), followed by criminal damage and arson (17.7%) and public order offences (17.7%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of August, a peak month for tourism and holiday activity. The relatively low levels of property crime—just 7 incidents compared to 6 violent crimes—suggest that the area’s small population and limited retail presence reduce opportunities for theft and burglary. However, the seasonal influx of visitors may contribute to public order issues, as seen in the 35.3% share of violence and sexual offences. The overall crime rate remains consistent with the area’s historical profile as a low-crime, high-tourism destination, where local policing and community engagement likely play a role in maintaining safety. This stability contrasts with broader UK trends, where violent crime rates have shown more pronounced fluctuations in recent months.

August 2024 marked an 18.9% decline in the overall crime rate compared to July, falling from 3.5 to 2.9 per 1,000 residents. This downward trend was driven by significant reductions in violence and sexual offences (-40.0%), other theft (-66.7%), and anti-social behaviour (-50.0%). The decrease in violent crime may reflect the easing of summer tourism pressures or improved community policing efforts. However, notable increases occurred in public order offences (+200.0%), burglary (+100.0%), and shoplifting (+100.0%), which may be linked to the area’s seasonal dynamics. Public order offences, in particular, were 63% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000, suggesting that local enforcement strategies effectively mitigate disorder despite the influx of visitors. The rise in burglary and shoplifting, though small in absolute terms, highlights the vulnerability of unoccupied homes and retail spaces during peak tourist periods. These trends contrast with the UK-wide pattern, where property crime rates typically rise in summer months due to increased foot traffic. In Bourton-on-the-Water, the low volume of property crimes—just 7 incidents—remains 72% below the UK average for shoplifting and 86% below for anti-social behaviour, underscoring the area’s unique safety profile.

The crime rate in August 2024 (2.9 per 1,000) represented a marked improvement from July’s 3.5 per 1,000, a reduction that translates to one reported crime for every 349 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure—1-in-349—places the area in stark contrast to the UK average, where residents face significantly higher risks. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly one crime per day during August, a figure that remains exceptionally low given the population of 5,933. This daily context suggests that local residents are far less likely to encounter crime than the national average, even during the busy summer season. The comparison to the UK highlights the area’s success in managing crime through a combination of its physical characteristics and community-oriented policing. For instance, the absence of large retail chains and industrial zones reduces opportunities for certain offences, while the compact nature of the built-up area likely facilitates quicker police response times. These factors, combined with the area’s seasonal management of tourism-related risks, contribute to a crime profile that is both stable and significantly safer than the UK average. Residents and visitors alike benefit from this environment, which prioritises safety without compromising the area’s appeal as a tourist destination.