Bovingdon Crime Rate

Bovingdon is a highly secure urban settlement, boasting a safety score of 86/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79/100. Its overall crime rate of 59.7 per 1,000 people is also considerably lower than the national average of 91.6. Perhaps most impressively, the property crime rate in Bovingdon is just 10.8 per 1,000, nearly a third of the UK average of 32.2. However, residents should be aware that crime has increased by 20.2% over the last year. This trend indicates that while the village remains statistically very safe, there is an upward movement in criminal activity that warrants attention. The following sections provide a deep dive into the specific crime types, time patterns, and safety advice for the Bovingdon community.

Crime in Bovingdon

Bovingdon's crime profile is heavily weighted towards violence and sexual offences, which account for 42.3% of all reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.9% and "other crime" at 14.4%. Together, these three categories form the bulk of the 59.7 crimes per 1,000 people recorded annually in the village. Criminal damage and arson also represent a notable 9.2% of the local crime volume.

For homeowners, the property crime rate in Bovingdon is remarkably low at 10.8 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly better than the UK average of 32.2. The property crime figures include 16 burglaries and 6 vehicle crimes over the 12-month period. Other theft and robbery are exceptionally rare, with only 9 and 1 incidents respectively. While the overall safety score of 86/100 is high, the low property crime rate suggests that Bovingdon is particularly secure against traditional theft and burglary. However, the prevalence of violent crime and anti-social behaviour indicates that personal safety and community-level vigilance remain important for residents, even if their physical assets are statistically at lower risk than in other parts of the country.

Crime Trends in Bovingdon

The most notable aspect of Bovingdon's recent crime data is the 20.2% year-over-year increase in total incidents. This is a significant jump for a village of its size. Monthly data from 2025 shows a volatile pattern. The year began with a rate of 4.9 in January, which then dipped to its lowest point of 2.4 in March.

However, the spring and summer saw a dramatic increase. The crime rate rose to 6.5 in May and reached a massive peak of 10.2 in July, more than quadruple the March low. Following this summer spike, the rate stabilized somewhat, fluctuating between 3.4 and 5.5 for the remainder of the year. This pattern of a heavy summer peak is a key takeaway for local residents. Despite the overall increase, Bovingdon's status as a safe area remains intact, but the 20.2% rise suggests that the local community and law enforcement are facing a more active criminal environment than in previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Bovingdon

The primary crime concern in Bovingdon is violence and sexual offences, which makes up 42.3% of all reported incidents. While Bovingdon is a safe village, residents should maintain a level of personal awareness, especially when walking in quieter areas after dark. Using well-lit paths and letting someone know your expected arrival time are simple but effective habits.

Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue (17.9%). Residents are encouraged to report any persistent nuisance or suspicious activity to the local council or police to help maintain the village's peaceful environment.

For property safety, it is important to note that 30% of burglaries in Bovingdon happen at night, and 29% occur in the afternoon. Ensure that all windows and doors are locked, even if you are just in another part of the house or garden. Since vehicle crime is very low, continuing to follow standard security practices—like not leaving valuables on display—will help keep these numbers down. By staying vigilant during these peak times, you can further reduce your risk in this already safe community.

When Crime Happens in Bovingdon

Crime in Bovingdon follows specific temporal patterns that are useful for residents to understand. The morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm) are the most active periods for theft, with 28% and 29% of incidents occurring respectively. Interestingly, the afternoon is also a high-risk time for burglary, accounting for 29% of all cases, likely when properties are unoccupied during the workday.

The evening (6pm - 12am) is dominated by "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 61% of reports in this window. However, the night (12am - 6am) presents the highest specific risk for burglary, with 30% of incidents occurring during these quiet hours. Vehicle crime also sees a relative increase at night (17%) compared to the afternoon. This suggests that while daytime security is important for preventing theft, robust overnight protection is critical for deterring burglaries and vehicle-related offences in Bovingdon.

When compared to surrounding areas, Bovingdon's crime rate of 59.7 per 1,000 people is higher than its most rural neighbours. Hogpits Bottom, Lye Green, and Ley Hill all reported 0.0 crimes during the same period. However, compared to Chipperfield, which has a crime rate of 32.9, Bovingdon is slightly more active. In the context of the wider Dacorum area, Bovingdon remains a very safe choice, particularly for those concerned with property crime, where it significantly outperforms many larger towns in the region. Its high safety score makes it one of the more desirable residential pockets in Hertfordshire.

Home Security in Bovingdon

With a property crime rate of only 10.8 per 1,000 people, Bovingdon is exceptionally safe for homeowners. However, the 20.2% increase in overall crime suggests that maintaining this high level of security requires a proactive approach. Traditional security systems often provide a false sense of security by merely recording footage of an incident after it has occurred. In Bovingdon, where burglary peaks in the afternoon and late at night, preventing an intruder from ever entering your home is the priority.

The scOS artificial intelligence system offers proactive protection by monitoring your property boundaries in real-time. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify potential threats and unauthorised individuals before they reach your front door. Features like DVLA vehicle verification and autonomous responses—such as activating lights and audio alerts—can deter a criminal within the first 60 seconds of them approaching your property. For Bovingdon residents, choosing a system that focuses on prevention rather than just reaction is the most effective way to protect their homes and maintain the village's safe reputation.