Bourton-on-the-Water Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Bourton-on-the-Water, 5.9 crimes were recorded in May 2025 — a rate 27.2% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This built-up area within the Cotswolds, known for its picturesque riverside walk and tourist appeal, saw a mix of crime types that reflect its seasonal character. Other crime (31.4% of all incidents) and violence and sexual offences (28.6%) were the most common categories, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 17.1%. The seasonal context of May — longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising — likely contributes to the higher prevalence of anti-social behaviour compared to other months. While the overall rate remains low, the sharp rise in 'other crime' (11 incidents, 1.9 per 1,000) suggests a need for vigilance during peak tourist times. This category, which includes public order offences and unclassified incidents, is 1088% above the UK average for the same category, highlighting a unique local pattern that may stem from the area's high foot traffic and seasonal visitor influx. The lower-than-average rates for property crimes (5.7% of total) and violent crimes (28.6% of total) contrast with the UK profile, where property crimes typically dominate. This divergence likely reflects the area's small population, limited commercial activity, and strong community policing presence, though these factors remain speculative without further data.

May 2025 saw three categories surge by 100% compared to April: shoplifting (2 incidents, up from 0), 'other crime' (11 incidents, up from 0), and drugs (1 incident, up from 0). This spike in 'other crime' — which is 1088% above the UK average for the same category — may be linked to the area's seasonal tourism patterns and increased public gatherings. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 incidents), a decline consistent with the typically lower vandalism rates observed in tourist-friendly areas during the spring. The breakdown of crime types reveals a striking contrast to the UK average: violence and sexual offences (28.6% of total) are 40% below the UK rate, while anti-social behaviour (17.1%) is 30% below the UK average. This suggests a community profile where violent crime is less prevalent than in many other parts of the country, though the sharp rise in 'other crime' indicates areas for targeted intervention. For residents, the 100% increase in shoplifting — though still a small absolute number (2 incidents) — could be a useful data point for local businesses to consider during peak tourist periods.

Bourton-on-the-Water's crime rate in May 2025 (5.9 per 1,000) was 75.1% higher than the previous month's rate of 3.4 per 1,000.2% below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 170 residents — a figure that, while low, represents a 75% increase from April's equivalent rate of 1 in 263 residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day, a figure that aligns with the low overall rate but highlights the impact of the month-on-month surge. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a risk profile significantly lower than the UK average for most categories, though the sharp rise in 'other crime' complicates this picture. For context, the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 translates to one crime for every 123 residents in a typical month, whereas Bourton-on-the-Water's rate means one crime for every 170 residents — a difference that underscores the area's generally safer environment. However, the 100% increase in 'other crime' and shoplifting from April suggests that while the overall risk remains low, specific local factors may temporarily elevate certain crime types during peak tourist periods.