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

Bourton-on-the-Water’s September 2024 crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents places it 10.4% below the UK average (7.7 per 1,000), a consistent trend reflective of its rural character and tight-knit community. Despite this, the area’s crime profile reveals a combination of local and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences (20 incidents, 48.8% of total crimes) dominate, with a rate of 3.4 per 1,000—30% above the UK average. This may partly explain the area’s lower overall rate, as violent crimes are more concentrated in specific locations, such as the town’s social hubs. Public order offences (7 incidents, 17.1% of total) also rise sharply, at 1.2 per 1,000—114% above the UK average, potentially linked to the influx of university students during freshers’ week. Anti-social behaviour, while 32% below the UK average, saw a 400% month-on-month increase, suggesting a sudden surge in incidents tied to seasonal transitions. The area’s low property crime rate (7 incidents, 1.2 per 1,000) contrasts with UK trends, likely due to its small size and limited retail presence. Seasonal factors, such as the return to school and the start of university terms, may have contributed to the spike in violent and public order crimes. Bourton-on-the-Water’s crime picture thus illustrates a balance between its inherent safety and the challenges of managing a transient population during peak periods.

September 2024 saw dramatic month-on-month increases in several crime categories, with violence and sexual offences surging by 233.3% (from 6 to 20 incidents). This spike, coupled with a 300% rise in burglary (1 to 4) and a 400% jump in anti-social behaviour (1 to 5), suggests a significant shift in the crime profile. Violence and sexual offences in the area (3.4 per 1,000) now exceed the UK average (2.6 per 1,000) by 30%, a deviation that could reflect the impact of university freshers’ week or seasonal transitions. Conversely, shoplifting incidents (0.3 per 1,000) fell 56% below the UK average (0.7 per 1,000), possibly due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the early autumn. The sharp contrast between rising violent crime and falling property crime underscores a shift in criminal activity, with public order offences (1.2 per 1,000) also 114% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000). For residents, the most immediate concern is the 233.3% increase in violence and sexual offences, which now account for nearly half (48.8%) of all reported crimes.

Bourton-on-the-Water’s crime rate in September 2024 (6.9 per 1,000 residents) sits 10.4% below the UK average (7.7 per 1,000), reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to the national picture. However, the month-on-month increase from 2.9 per 1,000 in August to 6.9 per 1,000 marks a 140.8% rise, indicating a sharp upward trend. Daily crime data reveals that, on average, one crime was reported per day in September—a figure that, while modest, underscores the need for continued vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 145 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while lower than many urban areas, highlights the vulnerability of a small community to concentrated incidents. This rate is particularly notable when viewed against the area’s population of 5,933, where even a single incident can have a disproportionate impact on local perceptions of safety. The contrast between the area’s overall crime rate and the UK average may partly stem from its rural character, where lower population density and community cohesion often correlate with reduced crime, though the recent spikes suggest external factors are at play.